START/FINISH VELO VILLAGE, STEAMPACKET GARDENS, GEELONG

The Velo Village is the place to go to enjoy the build-up to the race as teams are introduced to the crowd, the riders sign-on and they finalise their preparations before taking on the gruelling course. Get up close to watch your favourite stars prepare.

Enjoy the action on the big screen, participate in sponsor activities, enjoy the live entertainment, grab some food and beverage, grab your official event merchandise and then grab a spot on the barriers so that you can catch a glimpse of what promises to be an exciting finale to the elite women’s and men’s road races.

Click here for more information on what to see and do in Geelong.

Wednesday 24 January 2024: Geelong Classic | 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Fast and furious street racing returns to the Geelong Waterfront, with the women’s Geelong Classic criterium. The twilight race over a 2km circuit will offer multiple viewing locations across Eastern Park circuit and Hearn Parade.

Friday 26 January 2024: GeelongPort Family Ride | 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Come down to the Geelong waterfront for a safe and fun twilight edition of our iconic GeelongPort Family Ride.

Saturday 27 January 2024: TAC People’s Ride & Deakin University Elite Women’s Road Race | 7:00am– 4:20pm*

Watch riders of all ages and abilities ride the same roads as the pros as Cadel Evans himself leads out the TAC People’s Ride.

From 12:35pm, watch the best cyclists in the world compete in the Deakin University Elite Women’s Road Race.

The Velo Village will include big screen coverage, sponsor activations, music entertainment and catering across the day. The elite women will complete two circuits of the Geelong loop before racing to the finish on Eastern Beach Road.

Sunday 28 January 2024: Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race | 9:00am – 5:00pm

The first UCI Men’s WorldTour one-day race of the year, watch as the peloton departs Steampacket Gardens before completing three circuit passes of the Start/Finish on Eastern Beach Road.

A centre of activity, the Velo Village will include big screen coverage, sponsor activations, music, entertainment and catering across the day.

The elite men will complete four circuits of the Geelong loop before racing to the finish on Eastern Beach Road.

How to get there: Public transport is the best way to arrive at the Start/Finish Precinct. Take the train to Geelong Station and a 10-minute walk to the Start/Finish Precinct. If driving, once in Geelong avoid Western Beach and Eastern Beach Road, as well as between Moorabool and Bellarine Streets as there will be road closures. Instead, use Princes Highway, Latrobe Terrace, Mercer Street, Malop Street or Ryrie Street.

Top tip: The biggest crowds will gather here, so parking will be at a premium and affected by road closures for the event. Arrive early and be prepared for a short walk from your car and your parking spot, or from the train station.

*approximate finish time

Thursday 25 January 2024: Surf Coast Classic | 11:00am – 2:45pm*

From the start in Lorne, through the Otways, the elite race will make it’s way down the coast to Torquay, with the finish line situated on The Esplanade between Price Street and Bell Street. Expect a thrilling dash to the finish from approximately 2:30pm – 3:00pm.

Saturday 27 January 2024: TAC People’s Ride & Deakin University Elite Women’s Road Race | 8:15am – 2:20pm*

The TAC People’s Ride passes through, with several stopping at the cafes along town. The elite women are expected to pass through around 2:00pm – 2:20pm*.

Sunday 28 January 2024: Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race | 12:30pm – 12:45pm*

The Elite Men are expected to pass through Torquay between 12:30pm – 12:45pm*.

How to get there: Use the Surf Coast Highway if coming from the north and turn left into any street between Zeally Bay Road and Price Street. If coming from the Surf Coast, use the Great Ocean Road and turn right on Anderson Street or Bristol Road. Avoid parking on the Esplanade itself as it is located on-course.

Top tip: With the Esplanade featuring world-class beaches on one side of the road and top cafes and eateries on the other, don’t forget to position yourself before the bike race comes through!

BARWON HEADS MAPEI SPRINT – CHEER SITE, BARWON HEADS BRIDGE

Big crowds will gather in picturesque Barwon Heads, the hometown of Cadel Evans, where the peloton will navigate Thirteenth Beach road before flying across the Barwon Heads bridge for Intermediate Sprint points on offer.

Grab a bite at a local eatery, visit the shops or hit the local recreational riding trails while in the town.

Another good unofficial rest stop for the TAC People’s Ride peloton, click here for more guides on Barwon Heads and on the Bellarine Peninsula.

Saturday 27 January 2024: TAC People’s Ride & Deakin University Elite Women’s Road Race | 9:00am – 3:00pm*

The TAC People’s Ride will pass through, with several stopping at the cafes for an unofficial rest stop. The wlite women are expected to pass by around 2:40pm – 3:00pm*.

Sunday 28 January 2024: Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race | 1:00pm – 1:30pm*

The Elite Men are expected to pass through Barwon Heads between 1:00pm and 1:30pm*.

How to get there: For spectators, the best access is via Barwon Heads road. For parking, try Flinders Parade, Bridge Road near the IGA. Avoid parking on Barwon Heads-Ocean Grove Road, Bridge Road and Ewing Blyth Drive as it’s part of the course.

Top tip: Don’t be late if you want to see the riders pass by. Get there early, you have some of the best eateries and cafes to keep you entertained ahead of the race passing through.

Saturday 27 January 2024: TAC People’s Ride & Deakin University Elite Women’s Road Race | 9:45am – 4:30pm*

The TAC People’s Ride participants will climb the hill in the morning and around lunchtime, before the elite women are expected around 3:30pm – 4:00pm* on their first pass and 4:00pm – 4:30pm* on their second pass.

Sunday 28 January 2024: Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race | 1:45pm – 3:00pm*

The elite men are expected to arrive for the first time between 1:45pm – 2:15pm*, and will then climb Challambra four times, through until approximately 3:00pm*.

How to get there: Arrive early to beat the crowds and traffic management treatments. If coming from Melbourne or the Surf Coast use the Princes Freeway and either take the Barrabool Road off-ramp* or Princes Highway off-ramp and come up via South Valley Road. If coming from central Geelong, why not ride your bike? *This is part of the course so please arrive early.

Parking: The closest off-street parking is Barrabool Hills Plaza or Highton Village. There is limited on-street parking, but we ask that you be respectful when parking on the street in front of residential properties. Mt Pleasant Road is a good option with a walk from here. Please don’t park on the course.