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.
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*
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*
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
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:
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.