City cycling club vice-president Peter Murphy said an extra two races had been scheduled for 2010, on top of the three existing annual races.

He hoped to add another eight on the calendar in the new year.

"Obviously the club isn't in dire straits but we're not real strong," Murphy said.

"It's a bit like the chicken and the egg ? we need more races to attract numbers and get people to help out."

The club has worked in tandem with its Port Fairy counterpart to avoid overlaps.

"We don't want to steal riders from over there," Murphy said. "We want to all work together so we can make the sport stronger

"These additional races will hopefully help the club grow."

The first races are set for February 13 and March 27. Starts are 1pm for juniors and 2pm for seniors.

Murphy said the club was awaiting the release of the South West Series Calendar before it scheduled the extra eight races. He expected the draw to be finalised in February.

The Warrnambool Cycling Club is also hoping to start weekly junior races. Des Lane is organising the competition, which would be held on Sundays at Wangoom before the veteran's race.

"We hope it will be a weekly competition but much will depend on how many numbers we get," he said.

''It is still all in the pipeline."