UCI WORLDTOUR ELITE MEN’S ROAD RACE
2023 Elite Men’s Race Highlights
2023 Race Results
- Marius Mayrhofer (Team DSM)
- Hugo Page (Intermarché–Circus–Wanty)
- Simon Clarke (Israel–Premier Tech)
- Michael Matthews (Team Jayco–AlUla)
- Corbin Strong (Israel–Premier Tech)
Gerry Ryan Best Young Rider
Marius Mayrhofer (Team DSM)
King of the Mountain
Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché–Circus–Wanty)
Mapei Sprint Classification
Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché–Circus–Wanty)
What they say
“Straight after the finish, I was completely done emotionally and I couldn’t believe it… It’s a WorldTour race – of course there’s the strongest riders of the world here.”
Marius Mayrhofer (Team DSM), 2023 winner
“It’s a very special day for me. I like this race a lot. We really have a team of fighters that want to win. Everywhere we go it’s always about the preparation to win.”
Dries Devenyns (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team), 2020 winner
“I really love the course. That short climb is really spectacular, because it’s short everyone is not afraid to attack. I really want to go back every year.”
Elia Viviani (Ineos Grenadiers), 2019 winner
“To finish my last race in Australia before heading back to Europe with this win, I’m speechless.”
Jay McCarthy (Bors-Hansgrohe), 2018 winner
“It’s nice on the loops, it’s selective, but still a sprint I can win.”
Nikias Arndt (Team DSM), 2017 winner
The 2024 Course – 176km
Race director Scott Sunderland designed the course in consultation with Cadel Evans keeping the early season timing in mind.
There can be a fast and sometimes windy start to the race along the exposed roadways before technical sections including city circuits, four times over the Challambra Climb and an electric sprint finish.
Up to Ceres and down to Moriac
From the waterfront start, riders head south through the city, over the Barwon River and will be quickly greeted by the uphill challenge that awaits them west of Geelong, at the historic township of Ceres.
The tranquil country roads could lay the foundations of an important strategic breakaway as riders negotiate the rolling farmland hills before heading southward to Moriac.
Torquay and the Surf Coast
As riders descend to the coast, they’ll pass the famous Bells Beach and close in on busy Torquay, a haven for locals and much-loved escape for Melbournians and visitors from around the world. The many families, swimmers and surfers gathering around the busy beaches in Torquay will pause to watch the colourful peloton charge along The Esplanade as crowds gather at one of the spectator cheer sites.
Stunning coastal views could provide a pleasant distraction for the peloton as strong crosswinds may feature on the straight stretch toward Barwon Heads.
Barwon Heads and the Bellarine Heat
Hugging the picturesque Thirteenth Beach coastline, the peloton will pass through Cadel’s home base at Barwon Heads, before crossing the Barwon Heads Bridge.
Rolling across the water, the peloton then turns inland from Ocean Grove, and heads through the Bellarine Peninsula back toward Geelong city.
Geelong, Challambra & The Closing Stages
Geelong signals an arrival onto the finishing circuits, but with a gruelling 68km still to travel.
The Elite Men’s course takes on four loops of Geelong, where battles will be won and lost on the climb of Challambra Crescent – the summit marking the opportunity to capture points for the coveted KOM title. The roar of the crowd and the electric atmosphere on the hill will have fans in a frenzy – This is one spectator point is not to be missed!
Descending Scenic Road, the peloton will touch speeds of almost 85km/h into Queens Park. The course has a pinch as it climbs its way out of Queens Park and up the road of the same name.
A left turn and a further pinch up Melville Avenue, the race then continues up Minerva Road, connecting through to Church Street. The race travels through residential Geelong, past the Victorian houses, over the Highway and onto the Geelong waterfront. It’s here that the riders get their first look at what the finale will be like in three laps time.
