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#CADEL
ROADRACE
24–28
JAN 2024

Spectator Guide

Elite Men's
Elite Womens

Get set for an action-packed weekend of cycling in Geelong and the Surf Coast

Here’s everything you need to know about the five-days of cycling action at the 2024 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (Wednesday 24 – Sunday 28 January).

There are four official cheer-sites around the course where spectators can take advantage of the best viewing points during the race. Our Spectator Guide outlines where to find all of the amenities, big screen live coverage, entertainment, giveaways and more.

Elite Road Races at-a-glance

Deakin University Elite Women’s Road Race (UCI Women’s WorldTour)

Date: Saturday 27th of January, 2024

Start Time: 12:35pm

Neutral Race Control: 2.2km

Distance: 143km from race start

Start Location: Steampacket Gardens, Eastern Beach Road, Geelong

Team Presentation & Sign-On: 11:20 – 12:05*

Intermediate Sprint #1: 59.0km – Torquay
Intermediate Sprint #2: 81.8km – Barwon Heads
Intermediate Sprint #3: 126.4km – Geelong (first time across start/finish line)

KOM #1: 8.8km – Barrabool Rd, Wandana Heights
KOM #2: 117.2km – Challambra Crescent, Geelong (1st Ascent)
KOM #3: 134.0km – Challambra Crescent, Geelong (2nd Ascent)

Finish: Steampacket Gardens, Eastern Beach Road, Geelong

Finish ETA: 16:05*

*Approximate

Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, Elite Men’s Race (UCI WorldTour)

Date: Sunday 28th of January, 2024

Start Time: 11:10pm

Neutral Race Control: 2.2km

Distance: 176.5km from race start – including 3×16.8km laps of Geelong Circuit

Start Location: Steampacket Gardens, Eastern Beach Road, Geelong Team

Team Presentation & Sign-On: 10:00 – 10:55*

Intermediate Sprint #1: 59.0km – Torquay
Intermediate Sprint #2: 81.8km – Barwon Heads
Intermediate Sprint #3: 143.0km – Geelong (second time across start/finish line)

KOM #1: 8.8km – Barrabool Rd, Wandana Heights
KOM #2: 117.2km – Challambra Crescent, Geelong (1st Ascent)
KOM #3: 134.0km – Challambra Crescent, Geelong (2nd Ascent)

Finish: Steampacket Gardens, Eastern Beach Road, Geelong

Finish ETA: 15:16*

*Approximate

START/FINISH VELO VILLAGE
STEAMPACKET GARDENS

The Start/Finish Precinct 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 Geelong.

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. Stick around for the Team Presentations from 6:00pm, as well as partner activities and Q&A’s with featured riders.
 
Saturday 27 January 2024:
6:00am– 4:30pm*
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:
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.

SURF COAST MAPEI SPRINT – CHEER SITE
THE ESPLANADE, TORQUAY

If you love fast and furious racing, head to Torquay to watch the riders battle it out for the Torquay Intermediate Sprint Points. Take advantage of the nearby amenities including local cafes, boutique shops, public toilets or why not cool off at the beach afterwards?! A great place to stop during the TAC People’s Ride, click here to read more about Torquay and Bells Beach.

Saturday: 8:15am – 11:00am*
The TAC People’s Ride passes through, with several stopping at the cafes along town. The Elite Women are expected to pass through around 1:45pm – 2:00pm*.
 
Sunday: 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 fly across the Barwon Heads bridge. 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: 9:00am – 2:45pm*
The TAC People’s Ride will pass through, with several stopping at the cafes for an unofficial rest stop. The Elite Women are expected to pass by around 2:15pm – 2:45pm*.
 
Sunday: 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.

CHALLAMBRA VISIT VICTORIA KOM & QOM LIVE SITE
MONTPELLIER PARK, HIGHTON

See the agony on the faces of the world’s best cyclists as they trade blows up the steep Challambra climb, made famous by the 2010 UCI Road World Championships. The Elite Men tackle this climb four times, while the Elite Women race over Challambra Crescent twice on their way to the finish on Saturday. The live site will feature a big screen, community activities, prizes and giveaways, live MC, music and entertainment and food and beverage outlets.

The live site will be open 9:00am – 4:00pm* on both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday: 9:45am – 2:15pm*

The TAC People’s Ride participants will climb the hill in the morning and around lunchtime, before the Elite Women are expected around 3:15pm – 3:30pm* on their first pass and 3:50pm – 4:10pm* on their second pass.

Sunday: 1:40pm – 3:00pm*

The Elite Men are expected to arrive for the first time between 1:40pm – 2:00pm*, and will then climb Challambra four times, through until approximately 3:00pm*.

Key timings:

  • Race live on the big screen: 11:00am – 4:00pm*
  • Chalk your message to the riders on the road: 12:00pm – 1:00pm* (Sunday only)
  • Grab a spot on the barriers and watch the race up Challambra: 1:00pm – 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 are 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.

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