105th Melbourne to Warrnambool set to be a thriller: Karin Jones

More than 200 riders, including a 13-strong women's field, will tackle the 267-kilometre race from Avalon Airport to Warrnambool's Raglan Parade.

Australia's Tokyo Olympic Games men's track endurance squad - Sam Welsford, Leigh Howard, Kell O'Brien and Lucas Plapp - have returned following February's postponement due to a snap coronavirus lockdown.

O'Brien and Plapp will ride for InForm TMX MAKE while Welsford and Howard will form part of the Powercor composite team.

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Jones said it was exciting to have the team back on the start list.

"It is kudos to the event to know riders of this quality want to come and ride this event and not just for a training hit out but because they want to ride such a quality event," she said.

"We know they are an endurance squad so the length of race is excellent for their training and we are very happy to play a part in their road to the Olympics."

Sixteen National Road Series teams will race. Defending champions Brendan Johnston and Matilda Raynolds are also on the start list.

UCI Continental riders in former Australian criterium champion Brenton Jones, who recently won the Damion Drapac Anzac Day Classic, and Nathan Earle are also racing.

Numbers are also strong for the A, B and C grade with 72 amateur riders taking on the gruelling ride with the NRS riders.

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Jones said a lack of racing in 2021 makes the rescheduled edition unpredictable.

"There has been no racing to compare it to and that's the exciting thing as no one knows how anyone is going so it is an open book," she said.

"The weather will have a part to play. It's meant to be beautiful weather and we're expecting mostly tail winds which is conducive to lots of breakaways and trying to pull them back.

"It'll be very interesting to see how it plays out."

The Port Campbell to Warrnambool Handicap's second edition has attracted more than 100 riders.

"We are very excited about it (the handicap entries) as it's more than what we had in February," Jones said.

"There is probably 30 more riders entered and it's definitely more than the 60 we had in the first year.

"I really think people are calling out for racing as there hasn't been anything. They know it's a race of quality and know it will be a well run race.

"They will be excited to be in the Warrny festival and part of that atmosphere."

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