Cyclists set to hit the Great Ocean Road

September 9, 2024 BY Abby Pardew

Darren and Marion Leeke and Mike Bodsworth are gearing up for the annual event. Photos: LEON WALKER

THOUSANDS of cyclists will flock to Lorne next weekend as Amy’s Great Ocean Road Gran Fondo returns to the Surf Coast.

More than 4,000 participants are expected to take part in the annual event on September 15.

Organised by O2 Events, event director Jordan O’Neill said the race was a tough and challenging course but also incredibly spectacular.

“There’s never really much disappointment post event, people have pushed hard to finish but also been rewarded with the Great Ocean Road which they ride for 45 kilometres as they return.”

Cyclists will have the choice of three distances, the 122 kilometres, Amy’s Gran Fondo, the 45-kilometre Medio Fondo, and the 14-kilometre Family Fondo.

Amy’s Gran Fondo is the main race, which starts and finishes in Lorne and includes two categories, the race category and recreation category.

This year’s event is part of a qualifier series for the UCI World Gran Fondo Series, with the championships set to be held in Lorne during October next year.

Mr O’Neil said the world championships being held in the region has resulted in an increase of registrations.

Thousands of cyclists will take on the challenge of Amy’s Great Ocean Road Gran Fondo.

“With the world championships next year, numbers are up given qualification and that it’s quite tangible to attend next year’s event.

“It was paused for two years with COVID impacts and then on its return was a bit slower to see the interstate numbers return and even international numbers as well.

“The 2024 season numbers are back up to where it was at its peak and certainly bringing in good intra and interstate dollars.”

The inaugural event was hosted in 2011 after the death of Amy Gillett and raises funds for the Amy Gillett Foundation.

“The event is not only a fundraiser, but also it’s a very prominent opportunity for the Amy Gillett Foundation to promote their campaigns and messages about cycling safety, not only to cyclists but other road users and motorists,” Mr O’Neill said.

“As motorist traffic increases on the Great Ocean Road, this event is one of the only safe ways to ride the region and certainly is a postcard for return visitation after the event.”

For more information, road closures and the full event schedule, head to amysgranfondo.org.au