Road race back after two-year gap

Harry Windmeyer (Geelong Cycling Club), Jane Clifton (Geelong and Ocean Road Cycling), Cadel Evans, Tony Ross (G&ORCV) and Nicola Tomlinson (GCC) are ready for the road race. (Getty Images)

The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race is back for 2023, bringing cyclists of all ages together across Geelong, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast.

The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race mixes a family-friendly festival-like atmosphere with exhilarating world-class racing over three action-packed days from Friday January 27 to Sunday January 29.

Registrations for the People’s Ride have opened with the TAC on board as naming rights partner for 2023.

Riders of all ages and abilities will get the chance to pedal the Geelong waterfront on the Friday night’s Vegemite Family Ride before cycling enthusiasts pedal sections of the elite course in the TAC People’s Ride over three distances – 35km, 50km and 125km.

Four-time Olympian and 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans launched the TAC People’s Ride and said he was thrilled to see the ride back after a two-year hiatus.

“I’m so happy that we are back,” he said.

“Since its inception in 2015, the TAC People’s Ride has been about people of all ages and abilities enjoying time on the bike together.

“The last two years has been challenging for us all but, thanks to the many who have continued to work hard and keep our quest alive, we can welcome old and new riders back for the TAC People’s Ride on the Bellarine Peninsula and Great Ocean Road.”

Following the TAC People’s Ride, the weekend culminates in the Elite Women’s and Men’s Races on Saturday afternoon and Sunday respectively as the best riders compete on the route which will begin and end on the Geelong Waterfront while taking in the sights of Barwon Heads, Torquay and everything in between.