The Melbourne rider's pedalling ability enabled him to jetset to Europe about four years ago.

After two seasons in Belgium, reality hit.

"I realised I had to work because I had to pay the bills somehow," he said.

He stopped pedalling seriously and went back to work, meaning his training time was limited.

Pilson revealed in the lead-up to Saturday, he barely practiced as he worked seven days a week.

"I just found it hard to get a ride in," he said. "I've only been doing 10 hours a week.

"I wasn't sure how I'd go (in the classic) because my form hasn't been that good."

Despite the electrician's heavy workload and doubts, he sparked up on Saturday to take out two honours.

The first was being awarded the 200-kilometre championship while he was also the first B grade rider to cross the Raglan Parade finish line.

"I was ecstatic," he said, referring to the championship. "I just wanted to get in an early move and waited for the good guys to ride across to me.

"They never really came though.

"The 200km championship is really prestigious and something I've wanted to win, so I made that my target 150km in.

"Once I got it, I wasn't too fussed about what happened after that but I kept going and came fourth."

The race marked his best finish in the classic as it eclipsed the ninth place he earned in 2007.

"I love this," he said of the Melbourne to Warrnambool. "It's my favourite race and it's the only race I get excited for.

"It's just so prestigious. I was just happy to get out there."

The 29-year-old, who was in the City Memorial Bowls Club team, completed the ride in six hours, 28 minutes and 25 seconds.

The next B grade rider to finish was Drapac Porsche's Adam Murchie, who clocked in at the same time.

Pilson finished third in the sprint classification.