The race is named in honour of Cadel Evans, Australia’s only Tour de France winner and one of the most accomplished cyclists in the nation’s history. Cadel’s career began in mountain biking, where he won back-to-back UCI Mountain Bike World Cups in 1998 and 1999 before transitioning to road cycling in 2001. Over the next decade, he built a reputation as one of the sport’s most consistent and versatile riders, with podium finishes in the Tour de France (2007, 2008), Giro d’Italia, and a landmark victory at the UCI Road World Championships in 2009.

In 2011, Cadel made history by becoming the first Australian to win the Tour de France, overcoming the Alps and dominating the penultimate time trial to secure the yellow jersey in Paris. His triumph was a defining moment for Australian sport, celebrated for its grit, strategy, and humility. A four-time Olympian and winner of prestigious races including La Flèche Wallonne, Tour de Romandie, and Tirreno–Adriatico, Cadel’s career spanned both endurance and explosive racing, earning him global respect.

Now retired, Cadel remains deeply connected to the event and the region. A proud Barwon Heads local, he continues to ride regularly throughout the Bellarine and Surf Coast, often seen on the same roads that feature in the race. His presence is felt across the event—from leading the TAC People’s Ride to mentoring young athletes and promoting cycling as a pathway to health, resilience, and equality.

Cadel’s legacy lives on in every aspect of the race, inspiring the next generation to dream big, ride with purpose, and embrace the spirit of cycling.