Cycling
4 February, 2024
O'Brien conquers Melbourne to Warrnambool
Former Horsham cyclist Mark O'Brien has conquered the Melbourne to Warrnambool bike race, breaking away with 6km to go to win by 31 seconds over Connor Sens with 2023 victor, Tristan Saunders, outsprinting a small group for third, 50 seconds back.
The 267km event is the second oldest one-day race in the world, and the longest standing in the Southern Hemisphere having begun back in 1895.
172 riders started the 108th edition of the race which began at Avalon airport, 40km from where it usually begins at Werribee. The race went through Colac and to Port Campbell before heading to the finish line on Warrnambool's Raglan Parade.
The 36-year-old has finished 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th in the race previously and was ecstatic he broke through for the win on his 13th attempt in what was a last-minute decision to enter.
"It was a last-minute decision to race. I was thinking about it and in the end, decided to give it a crack," he said.
"My family and I were going to drive to Adelaide on Friday. The plan was to drive to Adelaide on Friday and stay the night in Horsham, but instead, I sent her on a plane on Friday to Adelaide with our son so I could race.
"I drove to Adelaide after the race and got here at 10 pm and had a few quiet drinks."
O'Brien said he loved the race and was rapt with the win.
"I was talking to an old friend, saying that it was lucky number 13 edition of Warrny for me. I think I can hang up the boots at the Warrny now," he said.
"I loved the race and I am thrilled that I won."
O'Brien is based in Melbourne and is a construction manager and outside of work he coaches approximately 25 cyclists, 10 of whom were in the race on Saturday.
When asked what next for him, O'Brien said he hasn't got anything in the pipeline but may try and break the three peaks course record at Falls Creek.
The event held annually in April is 235km long and features 4000+ metres of climbing with Tawonga Gap, Mt Hotham and Falls Creek to conquer.
"I might give that a crack and see if I can break the course record," he said.