Cadel Evans urges People’s Riders to sign up

THE Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast will again be front and centre in Australia’s summer of cycling with the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race returning next year.

Registrations for the popular People’s Ride opened today (Thursday, September 29) for the January event, with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) on board as naming rights partner for 2023.

As it did for six summers before the pandemic squeezed the brakes on the event, the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race will mix a family-friendly festival-like atmosphere with world-class racing over three action-packed days from January 27 to January 29.

Riders of all ages and abilities will get the chance to pedal the Geelong waterfront in Friday night’s Vegemite Family Ride before cycling enthusiasts pedal sections of the elite course in the TAC People’s Ride over three preferred distances – 35km, 50km and 125km.

Four-time Olympian and 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans visited the Geelong waterfront yesterday (Wednesday, September 28) to launch the TAC People’s Ride.

Evans said he was thrilled to see hype building for the January 28 event after a two-year hiatus.

“I’m so happy that we are back. Since its inception in 2015, the TAC People’s Ride has been about people of all ages and abilities enjoying time on the bike together.

“The last two years has been challenging for us all but, thanks to the many who have continued to work hard and keep our quest alive, we can welcome old and new riders back for the TAC People’s Ride on the Bellarine Peninsula and Great Ocean Road.”

Following the TAC People’s Ride, the weekend culminates in the Elite Women’s and Men’s Races on the Saturday afternoon and Sunday respectively as the world’s best male and female riders compete on the dynamic route, which will begin and end on the Geelong waterfront while taking in the sights of Barwon Heads, Torquay and everything in between.

“The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race is an incredible weekend of cycling showcasing the iconic landscape of Geelong and the Surf Coast,” Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said.

“With tens of thousands of visitors making their way to the region during the event, the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race is a win for local businesses and for local jobs.”

TAC acting chief executive officer Liz Cairns said the TAC was proud to partner with such a big event on the sporting calendar.

“The People’s Ride allows us to engage with the cycling community on road safety issues, and to remind all road users to look out for each other and safely share the roads.

“We are thrilled to see the return of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and we look forward to promoting road safety throughout the weekend of events and activities.”

For more information or to sign up, head to cadelevansgreatoceanroadrace.com.au