FORMER UCI Track World Champion Rebecca Wiasak is usually accustomed to riding shorter and faster criterium races across the globe.
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But the Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic is a race the Geelong export is eager to complete.
The 26-year-old, who is fresh off securing her second national road criterium title, last rode the Classic in 2016 where she was left by the roadside after colliding with another rider.
But in her second attempt at the iconic race Wiasak believes she is in a much better position to complete the daunting 262-kilometre ride.
"I feel like I'm a bit better prepared than in 2016 and at the time I was a track pursuit rider and focused on the three-kilometre pursuit and racing for Australia," she said.
"Now I am full time on the road so I have been better prepared for it."
But the Canberra resident is now facing an unknown challenge in her quest to secure a medallion at the finish line on Raglan Parade.
"I still don't know the limits of my physical capabilities," she said.
"It's a big challenge and a little bit intimidating the new course as there is more climbing this time. You used to be able to get sucked along in the men's peloton.
"This time there is more opportunities earlier in the race to be dropped because there are some hills through Barrabool and Mount Moriac, which will definitely challenge the ladies.
Wiasak won't be far from people she knows in the peloton with her partner and fellow professional cyclist Ben Hill and his brother Sam (Team Nero Bianchi) riding in the Classic.
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
