Race Torquay yet to return to Cadel’s race

RACE Torquay is yet to secure its place back in the lineup of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (CEGORR) alongside the main cycling races at next year’s event.

The UCI, the world governing body for the sport, confirmed its 2024 calendar last month, including the Deakin University Elite Women’s Race on January 27 and the Elite Men’s Race on January 28.

Held close to or over the Australia Day weekend each year, CEGORR has previously featured a pre-race criterium on the first day – a Thursday – of its four days.

Run in Melbourne for the first three years as Race Melbourne, the criterium shifted to a 13km circuit around Torquay in 2020 and was rebranded Race Torquay.

CEGORR was cancelled entirely in 2021 and 2022 and returned to the Geelong region in January of this year, but without Race Torquay.

At the time, race founder and Tour de France winner Cadel Evans said Race Torquay was deliberately not included in the 2023 event as its timing on the Thursday would have clashed with Australia Day.

The next Race Torquay would theoretically run on January 25, 2024.

Details about the 2024 CEGORR released on June 29 did not mention Race Torquay, and there is no page for Race Torquay on the CEGORR website.

Organisers said no decision had been made about the inclusion or return of Race Torquay, as those details, as well as the timings of the People’s Ride and Family Ride, would be settled over the coming weeks.

Surf Coast Shire deputy mayor Mike Bodsworth welcomed news of CEGORR’s return to local roads in 2024 but did not know whether Race Torquay would be part of it.

“We are excited that dates have been locked in for next year’s Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and we look forward to welcoming back the world’s best cyclists to the Surf Coast this summer,” he said.

“Like many other locals, I’m a lifelong cyclist and bike lover, and love seeing elite riders on our local roads.

“This is a major event that adds to the vibrancy of our region, serves as a significant tourism drawcard and provides a great boost for local businesses.

“We’re awaiting confirmation of whether a mid-week race will take place in the lead up.”

The shire has already dropped its financial commitment to Race Torquay, resolving in March to reroute its allocated $162,338 in funding to the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre.