Cycling fever hits Geelong as Gran Fondo celebrations roll in

EXCITEMENT is building across the region as four days of world-class cycling get underway.

It’s full steam ahead in Geelong today, with the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Family Ride and Team Relay events and SpinOff Festival landing in town.

The day’s festivities promise an afternoon packed with action and live entertainment.

SpinOff Festival, an initiative of the City of Greater Geelong, will kick off at 4pm at Eastern Beach Reserve.

Farah, a soulful Geelong-based singer-songwriter and GRID Series alum, will get the party started.

Self-confessed rambler Hassall will follow at 5.10pm, before the Pierce Brothers and The Bamboos take to the stage at 7pm and 8.15pm, respectively.

On the main stage at Eastern Beach Reserve, live music will kick off at 4pm from Farah, followed by Hassall, the Pierce Brothers and the Bamboos.

The Hendry’s SpinOff Family Ride also starts rolling at 4pm, giving riders the chance to tackle a 1.9km closed-road circuit along Upper Hearne Parade.

At 6pm, competitive cyclists hit the track for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Team Relay, a high-speed test of skill and endurance around the 1.92km anti-clockwise criterium course. Presentations will follow at 6.45pm.

The celebrations will flow on into the night at with music, food trucks, face painting and a silent disco lighting up the waterfront.

The action doesn’t stop there, with the World Championship Road Race, Amy’s Gran Fondo Recreational Ride and Amy’s Family Fondo all set to take place in Lorne on Sunday (October 19).

Cyclists will also make their way from Apollo Bay to Lorne for Amy’s Medio Fondo on Sunday.

For more information, head to granfondogreatoceanroad2025.com.au