Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic - Start List
Preview and start list for the second oldest one day classic in the world.

British open road cycling champion Kristian House will make his fifth assault on the Mitchell Building Supplies Melbourne to Warrnambool classic on Saturday and is desperately hoping for a change of fortune.

House, 30, enjoys a love-hate relationship with the classic, first held in 1895 and acknowledged as the world’s second-oldest bike race.

He finished “down the track” at his initial attempt in 2005, was an honorable 12th the following year, in 2007 he was forced to surrender at the 140km mark with a broken wheel, and last year he “blew-up” at around the 200km point and pedalled wearily into Warrnambool more than 13 minutes behind the winner, Bendigo’s Zak Dempster.

“It frustrates me that I haven’t done better in the ‘Warrnambool’ because it’s such a special race,” he said.

“The classic is well-known around the world. I often get asked about it in England. It has a great reputation and is the race I want to win.”

House, with more than 30 victories on the international pro circuit, reached the pinnacle of his nomadic career in June by winning the British open road championship. His scalps included Mark Cavendish, who went on to win six stages of the Tour de France, and Bradley Wiggins, fourth in the Tour de France and winner of the Herald Sun Tour which finished last Saturday.

House will ride with the small Rapha-Condor contingent in the ‘Warrnambool’ which has attracted an amazing 195 entries and is the final event of Cycling Australia’s 2009 National Teams Series competition.

His partners will be 2008 Australian road champion Darren Lapthorne and seasoned English campaigner Tom Southam.

House and Lapthorne contested the gruelling Tour of Tasmania earlier this month, followed by the Herald Sun Tour and will line up in the ‘Warrnambool’ full of expectation.

“Both of us are pretty keen to win it,” House said.

“It would be a great way to finish off the year with another big victory.”

Zak Dempster (Drapac Porsche) won this race last year and has finished on the podium a few times this year, his most recent was third in stage four of the Tour of Tasmania last month.

"I'm really looking forward to the race Saturday, I've got really fond memories from last year but I didn't think I'd be doing it again as one from one is a pretty cool record I thought. As the year went on my motivation for it has grown and I couldn't think of a better way to end the season", Dempster said.

"I'm obviously lining up with winning in mind but I don't feel so much pressure going in. Last year I really enjoyed the whole experience regardless of having won it so thats something that sticks out in my mind and its how I'm approaching it again. The race itself has a unique and proud history in Australian cycling, in terms of a one day race, it's the biggest in Australia and I feel honoured to have won it and become part of that history." he went on to say.

Fly V Australia are sending a strong four man team consisting of Hayden Brooks, Benjamin King, David Kemp and Scott Davis. Scott Davis has tasted success this year winning stage eight in the Tour of Gippsland down in Lakes Entrance. David Kemp has been consistent finishing on the podium nine times this year and tasting success in stage two of the Tour of the Murray.

Hayden Brooks finished third overall in the Tour of Gippsland and won Stage 9 in the Tour of the Murray and will be lining up in this race for the second time in the hope of delivering Ben King a top result, who finished fourth in the Launceston to Hobart this year.

"I've only raced the Warrny once (last year). I know Ben King has had some very good finishes there in the past and is keen for another good result. It has been cut a little shorter this year and after I had a good ride at Grafton (now a similar distance), I'm looking forward it." Brooks said.

Of course, experience is vital in a long race such as this and Fly V Australia are keeping all options open.

"The selection last year seemed to be made with 150km still left to race. Scotty Davis' experience will be invaluable asset for us in a race that can be hard to predict and control, especially with a small team." Brooks went on to say.

Budget Forklifts are sending a strong six man team. 2009 Grafton to Invernell winner Malcolm Rudolph is definately one of the favourites to win this race. He knows what it is like to win long one day races and should definately be in contention at the business end of the race. Michael England and Cameron Jennings are also chances, the latter finishing third in the Grafton to Invernell.

Team Praties have a strong team with Nathan Earle, Ben Maher and Jason Rigg all with strong chances to win. Nathan Earle won the Baw Baw Classic this year so his chances cannot be underestimated.

Similarly, South Australian cycling team, Savings and Loans have a few chances. David Pell, who finished fourth in the Grafton to Invernell and has claimed two wins this year in the Singapore Criterium and Stage seven in the Tour of Wellington will be their man. However, Joel Pearson has been in terrific form this year with over half a dozen podium finishes and three wins, his latest coming in Stage four of the Tour of Tasmania so look out for him.

With a strong contingent of riders, we're set for a fantastic and thrilling 2009 Melbourne to Warrnambool. Come approximately 2pm AEST Saturday, someone will have added this brilliant and insanely hard race to their palmares.

Predictions
1. Darren Lapthorne
2. Malcolm Rudolph
3. Ben King
4. David Pell
5. Rhys Pollock

2009 Mitchell Building Supplies
Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic
1895 -2009  - 261 km
Saturday October 24th Start List

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