You bet you can bet on the Warny, legally too
This year Centrebet.com is running legalised online betting on the Melbourne–Warrnambool, the world’s second oldest running UCI race (after Liège–Bastogne–Liège), so your windstopper in the wind and the butterflies in your tummy won’t be the only things fluttering …
The 116-year-old, 265-kilometre ‘Warny’ to be held on Saturday 29 October is still the southern hemisphere’s longest one-day race (Milan–San Remo is the world’s longest now at 298km – which Matthew Harley Goss became the first Australian to win on 19 March this year). Few other races around gather descriptions that include the words “horror”, “never again”, “house of pain”, “strange masochistic love” and “carbon cracking”.
Happy? Not likely. But once you’ve waded through the ‘walley’ of pain that is the Warny memories are forever!
Founded 10 years before the Tour de France, some of Australia’s greatest cycling names grace the race’s honour roll including Sir Hubert Opperman, Russell Mockridge, Billy Guyatt, Dean Woods and Simon Gerrans.
As a friend of The Wheeler pointed out, it’s highly unlikely betting on the Warny is anything new; but that is often the way with cycling … what seems new is in fact old.
“Bookmakers have bet on handicap races at track carnivals for years, but wagering on the ‘Warrnambool’ is another example of how much road cycling is growing in popularity,” said Cycling Victoria general manager Kipp Kaufmann.
“As with all sports, we have to be very careful about gambling but I’m sure this initiative will add a new dimension to the Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic,” he said.
Centrebet is an approved betting provider for the AFL, NRL, Cricket Australia, Tennis Australia and professional golf. Centrebet’s head of marketing and gaming, the Sydney-based Luke Brill, said the company would frame a market on the ‘Warrnambool’ about two weeks before the event.
“It’s one of the world’s most gruelling one-day bike races. With 200 starters each year, there’s rarely an obvious winner pre-post. There are so many variables,” Mr Brill said.
Hmmm, well don’t accept a musette from a stranger at the feed station, that’s all I’m saying. Question any ‘free’ coffee or hot chocolate someone bowls up and hands you … maybe go tamper-evident seals on the bidons.
Entries are open now – until Monday 17 October – for the Warny. Part of the National Road Series, entries are via the Cycling Victoria website. There’s $18K in prize money on offer.
The Melbourne to Warrnambool organising committee is also seeking neutral spares vehicles for the event. “This is your opportunity to get up and close to this event like never before,” they say. Please contact Hayley (hayley@caribou.net.au) at event organisers Caribou Publications if you’re keen.
Also, just 250 memberships are available to a rather exclusive club – the 2011 Melbourne to Warrnambool Society – which are yours for just $250 each.
The Society provides the Warny with invaluable financial support, without which it may not continue to exist. Hundreds of local businesses have made a commitment to ensuring that Australia’s oldest bike race continues to be just that.
Many prizes are on offer including a trip to the Fini of the 2012 Tour de France (plus five nights in Paris) – or, alternatively, $4K in cold hard cash. Where do you get a form to fill in? Well, here.
And your recovery ride the next day – the 117km Shipwreck Coast Cycling Classic, along the Great Ocean Road from Warrnambool to Allansford – is now also part of Cycling Australia’s National Road Teams Series for 2011, same as the Warny, and part of CA’s inaugural Women’s Road Team Series.
There are just 11 events nationwide in the men’s series and seven on the new women’s calendar.
The elevation of the Shipwreck Coast Classic in status should see an even bigger field compete and encourage folks to overnight it in Warrnambool.
PLUS the magical Southern Right Whale nursery off Warrnambool – considered one of the best places to see whales in Victoria – will still be happening in October too.
