The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race returned to Australia’s summer of cycling calendar in spectacular fashion with mass crowds and thrilling finishes the marquee attractions.
The Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast regions were abuzz with a cycling extravaganza on show across the three days offering an action-packed and lively festival atmosphere.
With the support of the Victorian State Government, the event welcomed more than 100,000 spectators and cycling fans to the region across the three days, enjoying two thrilling races in the UCI WorldTour Men’s Elite Road Race and Deakin University Women’s Elite Road Race as well as the beaming smiles on the nearly 3000 faces of the VEGEMITE Family Ride and TAC People’s Ride participants.
It was the VEGEMITE Family Ride on Friday evening which kicked off the weekend, with eager kids and families filling the Eastern Beach Road straight for the chance to have the closed off roads to themselves. Fans then descended on the Event Village to give a warm welcome as the world’s best were presented on the Geelong waterfront ahead of their respective races.
The TAC People’s Ride got underway bright and early on Saturday morning, with thousands of riders lining up wheel to wheel before embarking on the 35 km, 50 km and 125 km distances.