The world’s second oldest men’s one-day cycling race will once again connect the regions of western Victoria with the Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Festival set to light up the state, thanks to support from the Allan Labor Government.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos announced the event will be held on 3-4 February 2024, attracting fans and riders from across Victoria, interstate and overseas to the iconic region.

Over two days, a packed weekend of cycling will see stand-alone men’s and women’s races, alongside the Port Campbell to Warrnambool community handicap race for club cyclists.

The men’s race, first held in 1895, will set off from Avalon Airport on the Saturday across a 264km course while the Women’s Warnie will start in Colac on the Sunday, making its way west to Warrnambool across a course of 160kms.

More than 300 cyclists are expected to take part in the race, supported by 125 staff and coaches, with thousands of spectators to flock to Warrnambool, Colac, Port Campbell and the towns in between.

The Festival will showcase the many vibrant and unique towns across regional Victoria, keeping businesses busy, hotels and shopping strips bustling and local economies strong.

Victoria’s reputation for cycling is renowned around the world, with events such as the UCI WorldTour Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race being one of the highlights of our major events calendar.

The Significant Sporting Events Program supports organisations to deliver national, international, or regionally significant events. Since December 2014 this program has secured more than 655 events, with more than half staged in regional Victoria. 

For information on the program go to sport.vic.gov.au/significant-sporting-events-program.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos

“The Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Festival is an historic and iconic cycling race, one of the oldest in the world and we’re proud to support the weekend through the Significant Sporting Events Program.”

“Events like the Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Festival helps showcase the many towns which dot our state, bringing visitors from across Australia and around the world to regional Victoria.”

Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora

“We’re so proud to have the Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Festival on our calendar every year and 2024 will be another huge edition of our great race. It will be exciting to welcome cyclists and spectators to our region in February.”