The Cadel Classic (124km Course)
An iconic one-day classic course
The Cadel Classic is a true One-Day Classic course, taking in some of the most beautiful coastal views Victoria has to offer.
For the first time in many years, the 2026 Cadel Classic will cover the exact same course that the Elite Women and Men will ride across the weekend.
As per previous years, our long course gives riders the flexibility of tackling or bypassing the famed Challambra Climb depending how your legs are feeling at that stage of the ride.
Just like the Elite Men and Women in the Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Races – as well as the riders at the 2010 Geelong Road World Championships – you can experience first-hand the challenge of what the punchy and pivotal 830-metre ascent presents. What cycling fan could ever forget Cadel responding to the Challambra attacks of the legendary Philippe Gilbert in 2010!
Heading south from Geelong to Barwon Heads via Wallington-Ocean Grove, the route winds its way through Thirteenth Beach, Torquay and past Bells Beach, before taking on the rolling hills of the Surf Coast rural hinterland.
Finishing on the famous Geelong waterfront, celebrate your ride at the Steampacket Gardens Event Village with your new friends (3000 of them!), or find a vantage spot along the course to catch the Women’s Road Race as the world’s best riders race for glory.
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The 2026 Course
A buzzing start in Geelong
When you don the lycra in Geelong, you’ll instantly feel part of our wonderful cycling family.
The music, entertainment and atmosphere at our famous waterfront start line is buzzing as thousands of cyclists join Cadel for the start of the TAC People’s Ride!
“I love the atmosphere and excitement of the entire ride. The Geelong Waterfront is the perfect location to start and cross the finish line!” – Vin
A smooth ride to Barwon Heads
From the waterfront start into Geelong’s Botanic Gardens, you will head along Portarlington Rd to the challenging ups and downs of Wallington-Ocean Grove Rd towards the iconic Barwon Heads Bridge. Passing wineries and orchards, you’ll make the trip toward Cadel’s home base, Barwon Heads.
As you pass (or stop for a break at) the buzzing Barwon Heads Hotel and café at the roundabout, the course takes you toward the picturesque Thirteenth Beach coastline.
Epic views at Thirteenth Beach and Bells Beach
Your chance to ride along the world-famous surf coast, our long course passes through this iconic region overlooking magnificent ocean views and the natural saltmarsh environment.
The Surf Coast is both breathtaking and physically challenging as crosswinds can pick up. But there’s a great chance to test your threshold as you enter Torquay and join the Great Ocean Road.
A climb up from Bells Beach is one of Australia’s most iconic stretches of road that is not to be missed.
Challenging Challambra and the ride down to Geelong
Here, you’ll have the option to turn left onto Scenic Road or descend to Barwon Boulevard – the route to ride the famed Challambra Climb.
Riders who opt for Challambra will once again experience the ultimate high – both physically and mentally. Taking on the same 83-metre ascent as the pros, you’ll ride past Montpellier Park where an Aid Station is available. From here, both routes will speed past Queens Park and turn left to ride further pinch up Melville Avenue.
The course then continues up Minerva Road, connecting through to Church Street, travelling through residential Geelong, past the Victorian houses, over the Highway and onto the Geelong waterfront.
The Transport Accident Commission is a Victorian Government-owned organisation that supports those injured on our roads and promotes road safety.
Each and every one of us, as motorists, motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists has the shared responsibility to use our road system safely and with respect for each other.
Together we can ride towards a future where every journey is a safe one.