Thousands of cyclists ready for fondo events

ALMOST 4000 of Australia and the world’s best amateur and recreational cyclists are readying to descend on Lorne for a five-day sporting extravaganza.

The Surf Coast Shire and Geelong will co-host the 2025 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, which began on Wednesday this week and will run until this Sunday, October 19.

Almost 2,000 of the best amateur racers from more than 60 nations will compete across age categories for the sport’s coveted rainbow jersey of world champion.

Australian riders dominate the start list, followed by New Zealand, Japan, USA and Great Britain, with others coming from Chile, Brazil, Tanzania, Cyprus, Slovakia, Ireland, Denmark, Norway and more.

Within Australia, Victoria leads with 363 cyclists, followed by New South Wales (246), Queensland (230), South Australia (35), Western Australia and Canberra (32 each), and Tasmania (15).

To compete at the 2025 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships cyclists must finish in the top 25 per cent of their age category at one of 29 qualifying events, comprising the annual UCI Gran Fondo World Series, around the globe.

Rider will be able to take in the scenery of the Great Ocean Road as they make their way along the course.

The youngest participant to qualify and register is 19, and the oldest, a Frenchman who turned 85 yesterday (Thursday, October 16).

Today (Friday, October 17), the action is in Geelong with a team relay at Eastern Park, where riders will navigate a 1.92km circuit course.

The team relay will coincide with a free public music festival from 4pm until 9pm at Eastern Beach Reserve.

The festival features performances by the Pierce Brothers, The Bamboos, Hassall and Farah – along with food trucks, face painting, a silent disco and the Hendry’s SpinOff Free Family Ride.

The 2025 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships concludes this Sunday, October 19 with a punishing 131km road race along coastal and forest roads, starting and finishing on Mountjoy Parade in Lorne.

The first summit at Benwerrin is set to test the peloton, which will then pass through Deans Marsh, Barwon Downs and Forrest, before a second decisive climb at Mount Sabine, and then a return to Lorne along the Great Ocean Road.

Progressive road closures will be overseen by Victoria Police on competition days.

Victoria Police will oversee progressive road closures along the Great Ocean Road and throughout Geelong, Lorne, Deans Marsh, Forrest and Skenes Creek on competition days, with diversion routes and local access points to be put in place.

Surf Coast Shire mayor Mike Bodsworth thanked AusCycling and Visit Victoria for their vision and hard work in bringing the event to life.

“Council is delighted to partner with both organisations to host the championships,” he said.

“It cements the Surf Coast’s status as a cycling destination, showcasing our stunning region to a global audience, and is expected to inject millions of dollars into the local economy.”

This year, the road race coincides with Amy’s Great Ocean Road Gran Fondo – a public recreational ride with over 2,000 cyclists including Australian cricket great Peter Siddle and Olympic swimming champion Mack Horton.

Riders will be able to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Great Ocean Road and surrounds on roads fully closed to traffic.

To compete in the 2025 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, cyclists must have finished in the top 25 per cent of their age category at one of 29 qualifying events. Photos: POLIZZISTUDIO/ALEXANDER POLIZZI

The event is also a fundraiser for Amy’s Foundation, which works to improve cyclist safety through law, technology, infrastructure, and promotes mutual respect among road users, in memory of Amy Gillett – an Australian cyclist and rower who died 20 years ago after being struck by a car on a training ride in Germany.

Amy’s Foundation managing director Katherine Bates said Amy’s Gran Fondo was about more than the ride.

“It’s a chance for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the beauty of the Great Ocean Road on closed roads, while standing together for safer conditions for cyclists everywhere.

“Every participant helps amplify our mission to reduce deaths and injuries on the road, and it’s inspiring to see thousands come together in Amy’s name to celebrate cycling and community.”

Registrations for the 2025 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships have closed, but the public can still register for Amy’s Great Ocean Road Gran Fondo up until today (Friday, October 17).

Families can register for Hendry’s SpinOff Free Family Ride, which is open to children aged three and up by heading to raceroster.com/events/2025/109668/hendrys-spinoff-family-ride

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