"WARRNAMBOOL"

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 172, 23 July 1929, Page 12

"WARRNAMBOOL"

TO BE REVIVED.

GREAT CYCLING EVENT,

The world-famed "Warrnambool"— Australia's greatest cycling road event —is to be revived after a lapse "of two years. This announcement was made last week. Few sporting events in Australia have won such public interest throughout the Commonwealth as this great handicap cycle race, and general satisfaction has been expressed that this historical event is again to be held. The dato selected is Saturday, October 5, and subject to the permission of the various councils and shires, through which the famous 165 miles course runs, the contest will be decided over the usual route, Warrnambool to Melbourne.

. The history of this classic event dates back to 1895, when 24 riders started in three divisions with an hour between each. The race was won by A. Calder (two hours' start) in llh 44m 30s, So great became its popularity that cyclists Came from all parts of Australia and New Zealand to compete in the blue riband event, and eventually the entry was limited to 500. In prewar days the race was not richly endowed —the first prize being worth £30, and it cost many of the contestants more than that amount to journey to Melbourne to take part in the event. Apart from the blue riband (carrying with it the Australasian road championship for the year) which is won by the rider establishing fastest time, the great attraction Has always been the medallion awarded;'to contestants covering the 165 miles in IQJ hours or less. To-day thousands of Australian citizens greatly treasure these mementoes of their prowess on the road. Many wonderful road riders have been brought - to-the fore by this long distance event, and also many remarkable achievements have been recorded. The greatest number to finish the course was 282 in 1909. The fastest time recorded is 7h 12m 51s, by I. R. Munro (Vic.) in 1909.. On several occasions this performance "has been closely approached. 'Probably the finest individual achievement in connection with the race is the unrivalled, triple success of the New Zealand champion rider, P. O'Shea, who won .the blue riband from scratch in 1911. 1922 and 1923. Although no details have yet been decided, it is practically certain that the amateur section of the race, which }n 1923, 4, 5 and 6, was run concurrently With the "Warrnambool," but only over the last 100 miles from Colac to Melbourne, will a-xain be linked up with the bi"- event. As in the past, arrangements will be made for the test races in each State to select accredited representatives for the two races Unquestionably the revival of the Warrnambool," and all it stands for, will give a great filip to the sport.