The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race is now to be known as the Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, becoming the event’s inaugural naming rights partner. A premium partner since the race’s inception in 2015, Mapei recently marked the tenth anniversary of the UCI WorldTour event by extending its commitment for another three years.
Race founder, the legendary Cadel Evans was on hand for the announcement. “The Mapei brand is a prestigious one in world cycling from their super team to sponsoring the UCI Road World Championships and now, naming rights sponsor of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. My relationship with Mapei stretches back nearly 25 years and they have played an enormous role in shaping both my cycling career and my personal development. I am so proud to have Mapei become our first naming rights partner”.
General Manager of Mapei’s Australian operations, Marco De Santis celebrated the announcement. “As a company deeply rooted in the cycling community, Mapei recognise the same values as the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – passion, resilience, and driving for excellence. Mapei has proudly been a premium partner of the event since its inception, and with our decades-long relationship with Cadel Evans, stepping up as the naming partner has made the collaboration a true celebration of Australian cycling.”
The 2026 edition of the event will once again welcome the world’s best cyclists to Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast regions to compete in Australia’s very own One-Day Classic (men’s and women’s) from January 28 – February 1. With its foundations established over ten years, the Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race has grown into one of the biggest annual sporting events in regional Australia, with the event format recognized as one of the most modern and forward thinking in world cycling.
Victoria’s ‘event on a postcard’ the 2026 Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race will once again blend elite competition with community celebration in the bringing together of world’s best cyclists, passionate fans, everyday recreational riders of all ages and abilities. And of course, the tens of thousands of local residents that provide the colour and atmosphere in welcoming the cycling world to the region. We can’t wait.
Partnership & Event Details
The official title of the event is now the ‘Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race’
The elite weekend races will now be referred to as the:
- Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Women
- Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Men
The 2026 Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race key dates are as follows:
January 28: Surf Coast Classic – Women
January 29: Surf Coast Classic – Men
January 30: GeelongPort Family Ride
January 31: TAC People’s Ride / Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Women
February 1: Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Men