Race director John Craven revealed yesterday there was expected to be 101 starters in tomorrow's inaugural Classic.

"We're very happy with the response," he said.

"We were hoping for about 70 so to get 100 in the first year is outstanding."

Leading the entries is Tasmanian William Clarke, who Craven believed was the race favourite.

"He won the open time trial championship in Geelong," he said.

"I've noticed he's not riding in the Melbourne to Warrnambool so he will be coming down and trying to win the Shipwreck Coast Classic."

The leading female contender is Kathy Watt.

She was Australia's first female cycling gold medallist after taking out the 181-kilometre road race at the 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona.

"She's not as young as she used to be but she'll still be very hard to beat," Craven said.

"Nicole Whitburn, who was one of two women to ride the Melbourne to Warrnambool last year and finished only 30 minutes behind the winner, is not racing the Melbourne to Warrnambool this year so she'll be trying to win the Shipwreck Coast."

The Classic � which has 19 female entrants � will also double as the Victorian men's and women's open road championships.

Competitor s � a number of whom will back-up from today's Melbourne to Warrnambool � will cover 117km.

"It's a pretty flat course," Craven said. "It's starts at Flagstaff Hill and finishes at Cheeseworld.

"They'll travel along the Great Ocean Road to Port Campbell, then back inland via Curdievale and Nullawarre."

Craven said the Shipwreck Coast Classic was introduced to try and lure riders, crew and supporters to stay in the south-west overnight.

Cyclists start at Flagstaff Hill at 11.30am tomorrow and are due to arrive at Allansford's Cheeseworld at about 2.15pm.

which

"It's an attractive course.

"It's short and sharp."

Warrnambool's