71yo motorcyclist dies after hitting pothole on highway - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The 71-year-old man from Ballarat died at the scene. (ABC News: Sarah Buchecker)

A motorcyclist has died after hitting a pothole on the Western Highway in Victoria's south-west this afternoon.

The 71-year-old Ballarat man died at the scene.

Victoria Police say the exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined.

A motorcyclist has died after hitting a pothole on the Western Highway in Victoria's south-west this afternoon.

Victoria Police said emergency services were called to the Western Highway in Trawalla after reports that a motorcycle had struck a pothole and lost control at around 12:50pm. 

The rider, a 71-year-old Ballarat man, died at the scene.

"The exact circumstances surrounding the crash are yet to be determined and will be investigated," a Victoria Police spokesperson said. 

All westbound lanes were closed on the Western Freeway between Windermere and Beaufort. 

It comes just days after a new report from Victoria's auditor-general found almost half of Victoria's road network is in poor condition and crumbling faster than the government can repair it.

Victoria Police has urged anyone with dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.