Scott Sunderland talks up the Race Torquay course

CADEL Evans Great Ocean Road Race (CEGORR) race director Scott Sunderland says the first Race Torquay will be a contest for the daring and the strong.

The pre-event criterium for CEGORR was previously known as Race Melbourne and held at Albert Park, but will make its coastal debut this year under a new name.

“The course for the women’s and men’s races suit the sprinters and the powerful time-trial specialists who can attack in the closing kilometers and finish alone,” Sunderland said.

“The Towards Zero Race Torquay course is 13.3 kilometres per lap with 160 meters of climbing per lap, compared to the Race Melbourne course being only 5.5 kilometres per lap and zero meters climbing. The short punchy climbs on Duffields Road will provide the daring and strong riders the opportunity to attack.”

The UCI 1.1 classified Race Torquay will also include the Surf Coast Times Super Sprints on laps 3 and 6.

“These Super Sprints are for the teams to test their lead-out train’s race finish readiness and for those riders who want to test themselves early with a 100 per cent ‘Super Sprint’ effort, along with the chance to pick up some extra cash,” Sunderland said.

He rated Chloe Hosking, Lotta Henttala and Marta Bastianelli as the top female riders to watch, and Caleb Ewan, Sam Bennett and Elia Viviani as the most likely male riders.

“All the teams are trained and race ready for the inaugural Towards Zero Race Torquay,” he said.

“A spectacular line-up of sprinting stars of Europe’s biggest one-day races and the Tour de France stage winners are ready and primed to race. All the final preparations are on schedule.

“A great buzz is beginning to build in the cycling community; Torquay will be the place to be.”

Sunderland said the best spectator spots would be along The Esplanade at the start/finish line or one of the bars or coffee shops on Bells Street.

“Or if you want to see some attacking action, you should be watching from the side of the Duffields Road hills where race-winning moves could be launched in the hopes of defying a fast-finishing sprinter’s victory.”