Thousands of cyclists will ride across Geelong, the Bellarine and Surf Coast roads next week as The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race returns.
The five-day cycling event will bring elite competition and community celebration to the region while promoting inclusivity, road safety and active living.
Race director Scott Sunderland said he looked forward to seeing people taking part in the race as it entered its 10th year.
“Everyone’s got a goal, everyone’s got their own limit, and they’re doing it for a reason, and those reasons can be varied quite far from one another,” he said.
“For the GeelongPort Family Ride, we’re having numbers around a thousand, and for the TAC People’s Ride, it’s actually looking like we’re going to end up exceeding 3000 people.
“It’s a huge event and involves a vast number of people…and being outdoors is great, but it’s the community spirit that I like most about cycling, as you always find like-minded people.”
The world-class cycling event will begin with the women’s Surf Coast Classic on Wednesday 28 January, followed by the men’s Surf Coast Classic on Thursday 29 January, with both races starting at 11am.
Kids, parents and beginners will then embark on a closed 2km circuit along the Geelong waterfront during the GeelongPort Family Ride from 5.30pm on Friday 30 January.
The TAC People’s Ride’s 63km and 124km races are on Saturday 31 January from 7am at Geelong’s Steampacket Gardens before the women’s Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race at 12.40pm.
The event will conclude on Sunday 1 February with the men’s Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race from 11.10am.
