The iconic one-day race was to run on Saturday before the Victorian Government announced a five-day lockdown starting at 11.59pm on Friday in the wake of Melbourne's COVID-19 cluster.

Race organisers and AusCycling are committed to conducting a successful 105th edition of the race and will confirm a new date as soon as possible.

"Hoping that later in the year with a vaccine and time that the event can run in a COVID-free environment," Warrnambool Citizens Road Race Committee chair Shane Wilson said.

"We have had enormous support from the local and Australian cycling community and our corporate backers and we look forward to delivering the best 'Warrny' ever in 2021 with the dates to be determined."

Event director Karin Jones was devastated the historic event could not go on as planend.

"So much has gone into the preparation and I'm just devastated for everyone involved," she said.

"I'm sorry for the staff, sponsors, organisers and most of all the riders that have come from all over Australia for what we had hoped would have been one of the best-ever events.

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"My family and I put a lot into this race and growing it for everyone to enjoy and that won't stop because of this setback. We're going to come back with a bang, bigger and stronger later in 2021."

This year's race was building up as one for the ages with a number of top-tier Australian cyclists among the 200-plus entries gearing up for the 267-kilometre race.

The highly-credentialed field was to feature track world champions, Commonwealth Games and Paralympic Games gold medallists and riders coming off recent success at the Australian national championships.

World Tour rider and south-west export Grace Brown was the latest star to commit to the historic race.

The 28-year-old was to make her debut after finishing runner-up in the elite women's road race and time trial at the national championships in Ballarat.

Recently crowned champions Cam Meyer, Luke Plapp, Tom Benton and Annette Edmondson were also riding in the race.

Multiple track world champions Kell O'Brien, Sam Welsford and Leigh Howard were also on the start list.

It was also going to be the first year the race was to be livestreamed by Australia's leading cycling broadcaster SBS.

The last 100 kilometres of the race were to be streamed live on SBS' Cycling Central Facebook page.

Entries received for the Melbourne to Warrnambool will be carried over to the new race date or can be refunded by AusCycling on request.

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