The oldest French team in the pro-peloton returns to Australian shores for its seventh Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Homegrown talent and Grand-Tour stage winner Ben O’Connor will be donning the guernsey for AG2R Citroen Team as they seek to win our modern one-day classic for the first time.
Featuring some of Australia’s most talented young riders as well as seasoned superstars, the Australian National Team is set to be contesting for the win on home soil, keen to show the rest of the world their strength. Sprinter extraordinaire Caleb Ewan will fancy his chances in 2023, looking to add Australia’s WorldTour sanctioned one-day race to his list of career victories which include 14 stage wins across the three major Grand Tours.
Showcasing the depth of cycling talent from across the ditch, Bolton Equities Black Spoke is a New Zealand based UCI Pro Team making their debut at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Their starting list is filled with some of New Zealand’s most promising talent including the second-place getter at the 2022 New Zealand National Championships Road Race, Tom Sexton.
Home to Australia’s own Giro d’Italia winner, Jai Hindley, BORA – hansgrohe arrives on Australian shores with a strong European team determined to win. The former team of Jay McCarthy, who famously became the first Australian to win the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in 2018.
The striking pink outfit of EF Education – Easypost is returning to the Great Ocean Road. Founded in 2003, the American team consists of 20 riders who speak a combined 11 different languages. The team is off to a flying start in 2023, with Honore Mikkel Being crowned King of the Mountain in his debut race for the team at the Tour Down Under. Winning the Tour of Belgium twice as well as Grand-Tour stages, Jens Keukeleire will be one to watch with the strong classics rider predicted to put his fast finishing kick on show.
As one of world cycling’s powerhouse teams, Ineos Grenadiers will be looking to make their mark and reclaim top spot on the Cadel Road Race podium as they did with Peter Kennaugh with his 2016 win. Homegrown talent Luke Plapp is one to watch, after having a stellar performance at the Australian National Championships that saw him take back-to-back tiles against a star-studded list.
Joining the UCI World Tour ranks in 2021, the Belgian outfit punched well above its weight in 2022, scoring 24 victories across classics, Grand Tours and stage races. With a swathe of young developing talent including punchy Kiwi sprinter Dion Smith, Intermarche – Circus – Wanty will be descending on Geelong and the Great Ocean Road for the first time.
With one of the world’s most successful cyclists Chris Froome among the team, Israel -Premier Tech has good reason to be optimistic for a result on the Great Ocean Road in 2023. The seven-time Grand Tour champion is joined by the likes of Daryl Impey with his punchy sprinting ability and Australian veteran Simon Clarke, who was narrowly pipped at the finish line at the inaugural Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
Powerhouse team Soudal Quick-Step, is looking to defend its title of being the only team to have won the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race multiple times since its inception. The ‘Wolfpack’ are bringing a swathe of rising European and British talent including defending champion Dries Devenyns who is set to make his return.
Being promoted to the WorldTour ranks for the 2023 season, Team Arkea – Samsic are looking to make a splash on the Great Ocean Road in 2023. The French team is bringing an ensemble of young European talent to Australian shores, including 2015 Under 23 World Champion from France, Kevin Ledanois.
This Netherlands outfit has a focus on making the sport more sustainable, clean and safe. Winning the men’s title in 2017 with a power finish from Nikias Arndt, Team DSM is looking to once again make their mark in Geelong. The team’s starting list features plenty of Oceania talent with Chris Hamilton and Patrick Bevin making their way to the Great Ocean Road.
Australia’s powerhouse cycling team, Team Jayco AlUla, arrives back in Victoria looking for their first victory in the elite men’s race on the Great Ocean Road. They’ve got good reason to be optimistic for a result, with Tour de France points champion and four-time stage winner Michael Matthews leading a strong team that also includes former La Vuelta winner Simon Yates and Australian Time Trial beast Luke Durbridge.
USA-registered Trek-Segafredo arrives in Victoria with a mix of some of cycling’s most young promising talent as well as seasoned veterans. With over 14 years of professional experience, including shouldering the coveted yellow leader’s journey, Tony Gallopin will lead his team along the Great Ocean Road, with the likes of the 2021 U23 World Champion Filippo Baroncini and Spanish sprinter Marc Brustenga following suit.
UAE Team Emirates arrives to Victoria looking for their first victory in the elite men’s race on the Great Ocean Road. They’ve got good reason to be optimistic for a result, after homegrown talent Jay Vine taking all in his stride after winning the Tour Down Under earlier this month.
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