IF THERE is a bunch sprint for victory in the Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic Steele Von Hoff knows his job is to hit top speed and claim the win.
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But if the peloton splits and breakaways take control of the race then the InForm Make team rider knows exactly where he wants teammate and two-time winner Nathan Elliott - up the front contesting for a slice of history.
"It's a long race and I'm a sprinter and haven't really got that many kilometres in recent years since returning from Europe," the 32-year-old said.
"I haven't done that many kms this year but it's a huge race doing 267-kilometres and it's going to be a challenge as the longest race was (Australian Road Race) nationals which was 180.
"So you're talking an extra 100ks which is going to be challenging for myself but I am happy I have got Nathan Elliott in the team. He is a strong finisher and from the start he just keeps powering away."
READ MORE:
Elliott has a chance to equal "Warrny" legends Peter "Bulldog" Besanko and David Allan as three-time winners of the classic.
Von Hoff, who is in his first season riding with InForm, is preparing to tackle his third Melbourne to Warrnambool.
His previous best performance was a fourth in 2011 and the introduction of the new Sunday criteruim at the Warrnambool breakwater has the 2018 Commonwealth Games road race champion licking his lips.
"It will suit me a little bit better being a sprinter," he said.
"Back in the day we used to have the Melbourne to Warrnambool and then the Shipwreck Coast (Cycling Classic) on the Sunday.
"It was always a fantastic weekend of racing to try and back it up the next day. It made a lot of the riders stronger for tours by backing up the two races.
"It's good for the strength in the legs to be able do it again."
The Mornington-based Von Hoff will ride in the elite men's class on both days of racing.
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