The 66-kilometre race, which begins at 10am at the Dixie Hall, involves two tricky two-kilometre climbs. Warren believes this will cause the race to tighten up.

“It will be good weather so the race will be pretty quick and with those two hills thrown in, it will help bring the race closer,” he said.

“The back markers should be able to put some pressure on the final climb and they will make their presence felt in a bunched sprint for the finish. It’s a quality field so it should be a good race.”

Warren highlighted back markers Darren Roberts, one of Victoria’s top veterans riders, and south-west riders Josh McMinn and Wayne Collins as chances to steal come-from-behind victories in the 50-strong peloton. 

Warrnambool members Clive Coomber, who is fresh off a victory in Colac last weekend, and Laurie Paltridge are middle marker favourites, while Barry Webster is a chance from the front markers group.