Warrnambool’s Simon Crispe has vowed to defend his TP180 title next year.
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Crispe became the first person to win the event since 2014, with Harrison Ernst winning the past three races.
He said he accepted the challenge to return in 2019 and go for back-to-back crowns, explaining what he had to do for that to happen.
"I would love to, you’ve got to defend the title - the number one plate,” he said.
"Stay upright, keep the legs ticking over and hopefully the form is right next year.”
After being declared the new TP180 champion Crisp said he was “relieved but absolutely spent”.
He and the other competitors were pushed in what they said were warm and trying conditions.
Crisp admitted he was not happy with his start, but worked hard to finish off strongly.
"The first half was just frustrating from my behalf," he said.
"The other two guys were getting away then I would catch back up and they were getting away.
"But once I sort of got to the front I could find my own rhythm and felt better as the day went on.
"I just stopped putting pressure on myself because I was making little mistakes and it was just terrible early on but it seemed to correct itself.”
Event committee member Shaun King said Sunday’s TP180 exceeded all expectations.
During the week King revealed the number of entries had dropped significantly on previous years.
But on Sunday he was smiling after confirming a late spike in entries had the field in the triple figures.
"We were pretty rapt with the day to be honest," he said.
"We weren't sure how many numbers we were going to get.
“We had 45 entries and then it was great to see we had over 100 entries in the end.
"And it was great to have plenty of pretty competitive riders and then all of the teams that were just out there to have a heap of fun.
"We also rapt with all of the juniors that rocked up and had a ball as well."
King said he believed the club was doing all of the right things to ensure next year’s event attracted similar numbers.
He highlighted the club’s popular junior programs as a key.
"We have got a fair few events on before the TP180 next year and we also have the junior program which is running leading up to the summer holidays," he said.
"That has been really good and has got a lot of juniors down at the club.
"And we have a lot of social events throughout the year that we do which hopefully that will make a big difference to getting good numbers again for next year."
