Nathan Elliott's history-making win in the Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic on Saturday will become the stuff of legend.

The Melbourne cyclist became the first person in 102 editions of the event to claim back-to-back wins, capping a remarkable comeback from a major accident suffered in Adelaide this year.

Elliott was hit by a vehicle during the Tour Down Under in January, and sustained a minor brain injury and a broken arm.

"I got hit by a car during the Tour Down Under in Adelaide, head-on, and got a pretty bad knock to the head and had to get rods put in my hand and arm," Elliott said.

"I couldn't ride a bit for two or three months."

He fought his way back to be fit enough for a stint in Europe with his team and is now back in the strong vein of form that saw him take out the 277-kilometre Melbourne to Warrnambool in 2016.

This year's edition played out differently to his original victory, with a gentle breeze a stark contrast to last year's strong crosswinds.

Elliott, who finished in six hours, 34 minutes and 23 seconds, was part of a breakaway early in the race and emerged for a magnificent solo sprint to finish ahead of the peloton, which caught up just past Camperdown.

"I managed to get an early break and there was only five or six of us, which made it pretty tough," Elliott said.

"Then we got caught a bit after Camperdown, 200 kilometres in, and I thought that might have been all over, but I managed to do a late attack and take it.

"It's pretty special, I suppose, the ride this year. I knew no one had gone back-to-back, so it was good motivation."

Elliott's family was swept up by the emotion and excitement of his historic triumph, with his mother Sofi dashing out on to the road and jumping for joy as he hit the finish line.

However, the peloton was still roaring towards the finish line at 60 km/h as she celebrated, with riders dodging around her as she chased after her victorious son.

West Australian Erin Nolan was the first woman across the line, while Ryan Cavanagh took out the King of the Mountain, Sprint and 200km championships.