Three-time world time trial champion Michael Rogers will join Baden Cooke, Trent Lowe, Mark Renshaw, Adam Hansen, Matt Wilson and Allan Davis as headline acts in a star-studded field for the 163-kilometre event.

Reigning champion and Beijing Olympian Matt Lloyd will also be in the 121-strong line-up, which will provide the climax to a five-day cycling extravaganza.

Rogers will also contest the 39km time trial championship on Thursday, January 8.

Controversial Australian rower Sally Robbins and German cycling legend Judith Arndt should attract plenty of attention. They will go for glory in the women's 102km road race on January 10.

Branded "Lay Down Sally" after she stopped rowing in the middle of the women's eight final at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, Robbins is looking to reignite her international sporting career.

She is using the championships as a launching pad to what she hopes is selection in the cycling team for the 2012 London Olympics.

Arndt won the 2004 world road championship and a silver medal at the Athens Olympics.

A massive 400 entries have been received for six championship events on January 7-11.

Scody AORCC director John Craven described the entry level as overwhelming.

"To have riders of the calibre of Michael Rogers and Judith Arndt is a terrific vote of confidence in the City of Ballarat's promotion of the event," he said.

Craven is predicting a crowd topping last year's 17,000 to turn out for the men's road race.

"The (10.2km) Buninyong circuit helps create a Tour de France-style atmosphere and spectators love it," he said