The grand prix doubles as the Victorian Open Road Championships and has attracted more than 350 competitors from interstate and abroad.

The winner of the grand prix will earn $18,000 in prizemoney.

Lapthorne is among the favourites to win the event along with  Docker and former winner Robert McLachlan.

Race organiser John Craven said the race, in its second year, was so popular people that competitors were travelling from as far as the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

"Over half of the entries are from people who have to travel significant distances," Craven said.

"The race is right up there in the top handful of races in Australia."

Time-trials were held yesterday in Learmonth in the first two stages of the event.

The men's and women's 33km races today will shut down Ballarat's main thoroughfare, Sturt St.

The race sponsor, the City of Ballarat, puts a huge emphasis on the value of races such as the grand prix, Craven said.

"Victoria has the highest quality racing in Australia and people recognise that," he said.

Spectators hoping to catch a glimpse of 1992 Barcelona Olympics gold medallist Kathy Watt will be disappointed.

Craven said Watt, who was suffering flu, was gutted she would miss the race.

"She's our main casualty, she's extremely disappointed because she's been training for this all year," he said.

Craven said the weekend was a great way to spot emerging riders.

"Every institute of sport has sent down its riders. What people will be seeing is the cream of Australian cyclists, the future Tour de France stars," Craven said.

"We need events like this in Victoria. The numbers speak for themselves."

Tomorrow's road races in Buninyong will see the men complete a 153km course and the women a 91.8km one.

Source: Herald Sun 

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