Fondo takes on the Great Ocean Road

THOUSANDS of cyclists lined up at the starting line for the 2024 instalment of Amy’s Great Ocean Road Gran Fondo on last Sunday (September 15).

About 4,000 participants took part in this year’s annual event, riding along the fully closed Great Ocean Road.

The course included the 45km Amy’s Medio Fondo, 122km Amy’s Gran Fondo (Age Category), Amy’s Gran Fondo (Recreational Category) and the 14km Family Fondo.

O2 Events organised the ride, and event director Jordan O’Neill said it was a great day with most riders making it around the course.

“In the mix of pretty iffy conditions in weeks preceding, the day itself was very friendly for the ride.

 

“Although mild temperatures, there was some sun about in some sections of the course and then the riders benefited from a tail wind as they came back along the Great Ocean Road.”

Tynan Shannon came in first place in the 122km Amy’s Gran Fondo in the Age Category finishing in 02.59:14 followed closely by Forsyth Alistair and Jordan Villani both finishing in 2.59:15.

In the women’s race, Emma Ochoa crossed the line first in 3.15:17, with Juliette Haddow in second (3.16:36) and Megan Mansfield in third (3.20:37).

 

Mr O’Neill said riders making their way around the course did it better time than previous years.

“Most people just had an easier time with the wind co-operating, so it was a faster year by historic standards.

“Overall people just got around the course in good time which is a highlight for us because it means a smoother day and roads reopening on time.”

The race formed part of qualifiers the UCI World Gran Fondo Series, to take place on the Great Ocean Road course in October next year.

Of the participants from this year’s event, about 900 cyclists will be invited to race in the 2025 competition.

The inaugural Amy’s Great Ocean Road Gran Fondo was hosted in 2011 following the tragic death of Amy Gillett, an elite cyclist who tragically lost her life while training with the Australian Women’s Cycling Team in Germany.

 

The annual event features the roads that she trained on, including the Great Ocean Road.

This year’s event raised $55,000 for the Amy Gillet Foundation, supporting research, education programs and advocating for safe cycling.

For more information, including the full list of results, head to amysgranfondo.org.au