Battle for Warrnambool on again

Nomadic Englishman Kristian House has stated he wants to win the Shotz Sports Nutrition Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic on Saturday, after several unsuccessful attempts to win the world's longest UCI-sanctioned one-day race in the past.

"The Melbourne to Warrnambool is the race I want to win," said House. "The classic is well-known all around the world – I often get asked about it in England. It has a great reputation."

With 204 riders to start in the Wyndham City municipality on Saturday, the 'Warnie' is also the world's second-oldest bike race. House, who will be riding for the Budget Forklifts team, has said that he wants to, "try to establish at least a 30-second break on the tiring leading bunch about four kilometres from the finish, and hang on.

While admitting that, he's "Not relishing the final climb up Raglan Parade," he explained that, "I've got to be on my own as the finish line approaches – I doubt that I could win in a bunch sprint."

Defending champion Tim Decker returns, as does reigning Victorian open road champion David Pell, with his Savings and Loans team in tow.