FAQ

Inspired by Europe’s prestigious one-day classic races, the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race is the first of its kind in Australia. The event is Victoria’s premier cycling event on the Major Events Calendar. It is a four-day event that will feature Elite Men’s and Women’s Road Races, Criterium Races, Mass Participation Ride and a Family Ride.

The Elite Road Races have received sanctioning from Cycling Australia and the Elite Men’s Race has received WorldTour classification from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), while the Elite Women’s have received a 1.1 classification

The Elite Men’s and Elite Women’s Races are invitation only races.

• The Elite Men’s Race features UCI ProTour, and the Australian National Team.
• The Elite Women’s Race will feature UCI Women’s and National Road Series Teams and the Australian and New Zealand National Teams.
• The Swisse People’s Ride and Vegemite Family Ride are both open to the public.

You can view the event schedule here

There are several great locations and live sites along the courses to watch the action. Live site information will be available on the website under Spectator Guide, as soon as the information becomes available.

Or you can wait for their return at the finish line on the Geelong waterfront.

The event will be televised on Channel 7. Broadcast information is yet to be confirmed, and will be displayed on the website as it becomes available.

With some of Victoria’s most spectacular scenery as its backdrop, the Race will start in Geelong, travel through Cadel’s home town of Barwon Heads and pass by Thirteenth Beach, Torquay, Bells Beach, the rolling hills around Moriac with a dramatic finish on Geelong’s Waterfront.

Specific details of the course can be found here.

The proposed course has been designed by retired elite cyclist, Scott Sunderland, with consultation and guidance from Cadel Evans.

The course includes elements of the very successful 2010 UCI Road World Championships course.

The climate in January / February can be characterised as warm to hot.

Day time temperatures will generally reach highs of 26°C (79°F), while the night temperature will drop to around 16°C (61°F)

The average daily relative humidity for February is around 65%.

The average monthly rainfall in February is approximately 36mm.

Please consult the weather forecast closer to the event for further details.

Driving: When driving, Geelong is an easy 60-minute drive along the Princes Freeway from Melbourne. There is no designated parking for the event so it is advised to plan ahead.

Public Transport: V-Line services depart regularly to Geelong from Southern Cross Station in the Melbourne CBD. Arriving at Geelong Station is the most practical option, as it is only a 10-minute walk to Steampacket Gardens and the Start/Finish line. Services may be altered on Saturday 26th of January due to the Australia Day Public Holiday.

Flying: Melbourne and Geelong are serviced by two airports. Melbourne International Airport at Tullamarine is a 60-minute drive from Geelong using the connecting freeway networks. Avalon Airport, located 30 minutes to the north of Geelong’s city centre services domestic airlines Jetstar and Tiger Airways and internationally, AirAsia.

Ferry: Departing twice daily from Docklands, cruise direct to Geelong Waterfront and the finish line of the race. The 400 seater vessel has an on board café and Free Wi-Fi. Book online 

Parking: Off road car parks on the race route will be accessible if the road is open, however please be aware that there may be restricted access to and from the car parks.

For further details, please click here

Car parks will not be accessible whilst the road is closed (including during a rolling road closure). Please ensure if you park your car in a car park on the race route, you do not need to exit until the road closure has been removed.

Media accreditation is required. Please visit the media accreditation  web page here for all details.

If you believe that there may be a fit please visit the contact us page and email us with your details and a brief overview.

Explore the Visit page on the website. This provides an overview of the regions along the race route and a link to booking.com.

Term 1 of 2020 commences on Tuesday 28 January, the event is held from Thursday 30 January to Sunday 2 February.

Rolling road closures ensure the roads are only closed for as long as is absolutely necessary. The rolling road closure is expected to pass through within a maximum of 15-20 minutes. However, in order to keep the route safe and clear of traffic, it must be supported by road closures at key locations.

The restricted access on the race route itself will be supported by limited road closures. Please expect these closures to be in place for approximately 60 minutes on Saturday 1 February 2020 and approximately 2-3 hours on Sunday 2 February 2020. Local access will be maintained but through traffic should avoid travelling on the race route during these periods.

Roads will progressively reopen when the road authorities and organisers consider it safe to do so. With limited infrastructure along the race route this process is expected to be an efficient one.

If you are passing through Geelong or wanting to get from A to B in Geelong, avoiding the race route and using Melbourne Rd/Latrobe Terrace/Settlement Rd/Surf Coast Hwy (as this avoids the race route) where possible will ensure access can be maintained and minimise any delays.

Please find detailed information on all road closures at the website here.

All residents and businesses on the race route are encouraged to plan ahead and limit local access where possible and for your convenience. This will only apply to the duration of event periods on the Saturday and Sunday.

While the roads are closed, and the races are passing through, road users will not be able to drive through barriers or road closures. Advance notice of the date, time and location of road closures will be provided to those directly affected as well as more widely via the event website. By taking note of this information businesses and residents will be able to consider their delivery and servicing needs, including re-timing deliveries to when access is available.

Leaving a little earlier or returning a little later to avoid the periods that the race will be travelling through your area.
Arrange appointments, meetings and visits at times when access is available.

Emergency vehicles will have access to all areas at all times.

If you are passing through Geelong or wanting to get from A to B in Geelong, avoiding the race route and using Melbourne Rd/Latrobe Terrace/Settlement Rd/Surf Coast Hwy (as this avoids the race route) where possible will ensure access can be maintained and minimise any delays.

Access restrictions will depend on the location and time that the races pass through. Local access will be maintained for as long as possible and every effort will be made to facilitate your movement if it is safe to do so. These restrictions will be put in place to balance the smooth running of the races, maintaining the safety of all concerned and limiting the impact on the community where possible.

Residents and businesses directly affected will receive further specific information. An enquiries service will be available to those who have specific access considerations and/or queries. Details will be shared via the event website and within resident/business information.

All residents and businesses on the race route are encouraged to plan ahead and limit local access where possible and for your convenience. This will only apply to the duration of event periods on the Saturday and Sunday.

If you are passing through Geelong or wanting to get from A to B in Geelong, avoiding the race route and using Melbourne Rd/Latrobe Terrace/Settlement Rd/Surf Coast Hwy (as this avoids the race route) where possible will ensure access can be maintained and minimise any delays.

Emergency vehicles will have access to all areas at all times.

To safely deliver world-class sporting events, the routes must be secure and vehicle-free. This protects both participants, spectators and the public and will involve temporary road closures and parking restrictions in affected areas. Detailed information will be communicated to those located on affected roads and information will be available on the event website.

There will be on-road parking restrictions in place along the route on both Saturday and Sunday to ensure the safety of participants, the public and cars.

You can sign up now

Entries close 11:59pm, Monday 20 January 2020.

You can find out all the information about entry fees and what is included within your entry here.

If you are having trouble with your application, please email peoplesrideinfo@cadelevansgreatoceanroadrace.com.au
Someone will respond to you within 2 business days

Riders must be over the age of 12 on Saturday 2 February 2020 in order to register. A Rider under the age of 14 on Saturday 2 February 2020 may only participate in the Short (35km) Distance Event (and Rider’s over the age of 14 on this date may participate in the Middle (65km) Distance and Long (115km) Distance Events). Please refer to the Terms & Conditions.

There is no maximum age limit for riders. Please refer to the Terms & Conditions.

Participants will receive a Rider Pack which will include your rider number, Swisse People’s Ride 2020 official event jersey, and other event information. Swisse People’s Ride 2020 official water bottles are to be picked up on site by showing your rider number.

Once on the course, participants will have access to aid stations, medical services and mechanical support.

Suggestions for bike choices may include road bikes, mountain bikes, city bikes, hybrid bikes and cross bikes. Participants must ensure bikes are well maintained and fit for use in the People’s Ride.

Only human powered bicycles are permitted to enter the People’s Ride including hand cycles. For the  avoidance of doubt, the following are not permitted:  (a) tri‐bars on bicycles;  (b) motorcycles, scooters and motorised or power‐assisted bicycles; (c) vehicles;   (d) electronic bicycles;  (e) any attachments attached to the back of a bicycle including (but not limited to) trailers, child  carriers and chairs used to carry children.

Hand bikes are permitted when required because of a disability. Participants sharing a bicycle, such as a tandem, must register each rider individually.

No. If you do not hold a Cycling Australia race license your entry fee will include a day license which covers you for insurance for this event only. Please review the event’s Terms & Conditions to ensure you fully understand what this day license covers. All riders’ license numbers will be verified by Cycling Australia. If your license number is not verified, you will not be permitted to start.

During the registration process, cyclists can nominate the same speed group. On the event day, if participants wish to ride with a fellow friend or family member, the participant in the faster speed group is able to drop down to a slower group. Please note riders are not permitted to move up to faster speed groups.

Speed group are critically important to ensure that you have the best start possible and to minimise the amount of overtaking needed in the first part of the ride. Please help by realistically selecting the most appropriate average speed that you will complete the entire ride at. Categories are as follows: 15-20km/h, 21-25km/h, 26-30km/h, 31-35km/h, 36+km/h.

Yes. All participants must wear an Australian Standards Certified helmet as per Victorian road rules.

The People’s Ride is staged on open roads; therefore, all riders must abide by the Australian road rules always. Failure to do so is at the risk of the participant and may result in the participant being removed from the ride.

Yes, this includes your rider jersey, a puncture repair kit, spare inner tubes, pump, rear tail light, fully charged and working mobile phone, adequate ride nutrition, and water bottles/carriers.

Yes, Santini who delivered a high-quality jersey for the 2019 edition have produced the 2020 Swisse People’s Ride jersey. The sizing will remain as it was for 2019 and the sizing chart is available as a link in the registration process.

Riders are not permitted to change from the short course to the long course. Riders can, however, downgrade from the long course to the short course on the day by simply taking the short course route. There will be no refund if you choose to downgrade.

No, this is not an option.

No, this is not an option. Please refer to the Terms & Conditions for cancellation information. If you believe your circumstances meet the cancellation information as outlined in the Terms & Conditions you must notify the event organisers by email, providing your name, address, category entered and reason for cancelling. All refunds will be processed in accordance with the entry Terms & Conditions.

Please refer to the Terms & Conditions for cancellation information. If you believe your circumstances meet the cancellation information as outlined in the Terms & Conditions, you must notify the event organisers by email, providing your name, address, category entered and reason for cancelling. All refunds will be processed in accordance with the entry Terms & Conditions.

Team and their riders are displayed on the website under the each of the Elite Races tabs on the website.

Yes, a Family Ride is included in the events schedule and will take place on Friday 31 January 2020. Details and registration can be found here.

The course will take in the stunning Torquay foreshore, the rolling roads to the West of the township and the very start of the Great Ocean Road. The circuit course will allow fans to see the peloton numerous times, leading up to a high-speed finish on the Esplanade. Find more information here.

Towards Zero Race Melbourne has been a fantastic race, with international stars including Kirsten Wild, Annette Edmondson and Sam Bennett as notable winners. The event will not run in 2020, with the inception of Race Torquay.

The start/finish village will be held on the Esplanade, overlooking famous Torquay Beach. With great food and drinks on offer, a big screen and sea views, this will be one of the best spots to watch elite cycling in the world.

For excellent local food and drinks, whilst watching the world’s best cyclists, head to one of the many great cafes, bars and restaurants along the Esplanade and Bell St.

Those who live on the course are encouraged to get their friends over for front yard bbq’s. What better way to enjoy a summer’s afternoon than watching the world’s best cyclists racing down your own street!

Race Torquay will be streamed live around the world at www.cadelroadrace.com and via the event’s Facebook page.

Elite Women’s (UCI 1.1)
Start time: 12pm to approximately 2.45pm

Elite Men’s (UCI 1.1)
Start time: 4.45pm to approximately 7.45pm

Yes, the more atmosphere that can be created around the course the better. Please keep in mind the safety for your attendees and also the riders and event staff in your planning.

The teams and riders will be presented prior to the race start at the start/finish village. Here the public will have the opportunity to get some great photos and hear from many of the star riders.

Teams competing in the Elite Women’s and Men’s races on the weekend will compete at Race Torquay. The races will have some of the biggest names in cycling compete, with the best teams from around the world in action. Team announcements will be made closer to the race.

The classification of the race is still to be finalised with the UCI (cycling’s world governing body).

Yes, the Elite Women’s and Men’s races will both take place on Thursday, 30 January 2020.

The prize money is yet to be finalised for the races.

Yes, Race Torquay will have equal prize money across both races.

Yes, rolling road closures will take place around the course allowing residents, visitors and local business to travel in and out of Torquay. There will be some delays due to the race, however these will be kept to a minimum.

The start/finish area of the course and a small section of the Esplanade will be closed for the duration of the event. Further details on the timings and recommended routes will be provided closer to the event.

Please call 000 in the event of an emergency. Emergency Services work closely with the event and will continue to provide emergency services throughout the event time.

A range of parking options will be available for the event. Further details will be communicated via the event website once these are finalised.

Public transport connections are available via V-Line to Marshall Station, Geelong followed by the bus service to Torquay. Alternatively, visitors can drive via the Princes Freeway to Torquay.

Yes, businesses will trade as per usual unless they make their own choice to close to enjoy the racing! We encourage locals and visitors to make the most of the great food, drinks and shopping on offer in Torquay throughout the day.

Yes, certain areas will have parking restrictions to ensure the safety of participants, support staff and the general public. Further details will be communicated closer to the event.

Yes, the event welcome volunteers and has a range of roles on offer. Community involvement is incredibly important to the success of the event and will help to showcase Torquay to the world. Volunteering offers the best seat in the house and the chance to be an integral part of a world class event. Find more information here.

The course is held on public roads, allowing everyday cyclists the chance to ride the same route as the pros. Please ensure that you respect all road rules when riding the course and stay alert for traffic. The roads will only be closed during the passing of the professional races.

Please contact the event via the website

The event engages with several local companies for the delivery of the event. Please contact the event via the website for further information.