Event director Karin Jones is exploring the potential of a 160-kilometre road race in a bid to draw more female competitors.

Jones, who has her own event company and will run the classic through that next year, said the distance would be a similar "standard race length as national and international events".

"We were extremely happy with how the two days went (this year) and subject to how COVID treats us and our partners, because obviously the event is reliant on financial partnerships, I intend for it to go the same way if not even grow," she told The Standard.

"My vision for the event is to have a separate women's race and the committee are excited about that."

Only a handful of women compete in the iconic 267km Melbourne to Warrnambool one-day race each year.

"The women are allowed to ride in the main race and there's a number of discussions with cycling coaches around the country that it's actually too long for them and it doesn't do much for them, it's just a personal goal," Jones said.

"They would like to see a race around 160km for the women so we're looking at what the options are around that and talking with the major stakeholders in Vic Police and VicRoads to see what we can feasibly put on with the resources we have."

Jones, who is the mother of professional cyclist Brenton, said the classic was earmarked for mid-February.

"There is a lot of uncertainty around event planning and delivery at the moment and we're still waiting to see what's going to happen with the major events that precede us like national championships, Cadel's race and the Herald Sun Tour," she said.

"We don't know what is happening with those but we are planning ahead as if we are going to deliver Melbourne to Warrnambool in the same time-slot following on from Herald Sun Tour."

Jones, who lives in Gippsland, was contracted by Cycling Victoria to run the classic this year.

She is excited to do it via her own company, KSJ Event Management, in 2021.

"I feel very privileged and honoured that the committee have bestowed that trust in me," she said.

Committee member Shane Wilson, who lauded Jones' appointment, said he was "optimistic" about the 2021 edition.

"It is a long way out, over six months out, so we would be hoping it will be business as usual by then," he said.

"There's so many moving parts in the cycling world that it could be a really big cycling summer if COVID is under control.

"The European season has been devastated but hopefully Australia is OK."

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