Riders score debut wins at Cadel's race

THE Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race has claimed a record-breaking crowd of more than 140,000 at this year’s edition, which saw two riders record their debut WorldTour victories.

Transforming the foreshore of Geelong, the five-day cycling festival provided action both on and off the course for fans, families and riders.

Groupama – FDJ’s Laurence Pithie (centre) throws his bike at just the right time to win the Elite Men’s Road Race as Cadel Evans (right) waves the chequered flag. Photo: JAMES TAYLOR

The cycling started on Wednesday last week with the return of mid-week races, with the inaugural Geelong Classic pitting the women riders against 25 laps of a 2km circuit around the Botanical Gardens and Geelong Waterfront, won by Sofia Bertizzolo (UAE Team ADQ).

On Thursday, the debut Surf Coast Classic started in Lorne and headed north into the Otways, ending 158km later in Torquay where Eritrean rider Binam Girmay (Intermaché Wanty) stormed to the finish line.

Italian rider Sofia Bertizzolo of UAE Team Adq (second from left) took the inaugural Geelong Classic in a sprint finish. Photo: TIM DE WAELE/GETTY IMAGES

More than 650 big and small cyclists joined the fun for the GeelongPort Family Ride, riding on a safe, enclosed, flat 1.3km circuit and encouraged by commentary from cycling icon Phil Liggett.

Saturday began with the TAC People’s Ride, with more than 3,000 riders joining AFLW superstar Daisy Pearce and Cadel Evans on the start line for the mass participation event over two courses (59km and 113km).

Biniam Girmay (Intermarche-Wanty) (third from right) celebrates winning the Surf Coast Classic. Photo: TIM DE WAELE/GETTY IMAGES

This was followed by the Deakin University Elite Women’s Road Race, with spectators flocking to coastal towns, live sites – including the top of the gruelling Challambra climb – and finish line for the best vantage points.

Rosita Reijnhout (Team Visma-Lease a Bike) became the youngest winner of the Deakin University Elite Women’s Road Race at just 19 years old and also scored her first WorldTour win.

Cadel Evans (first from right) gives a wave as he takes part in the People’s Ride. Photo: MARCEL BERENS/SPORTS MEDIA IMAGES

Reijnhout attacked towards the end and crossed the line solo ahead of the fast-closing Dominika Włodarczyk (UAE Team ADQ) and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ–Suez).

“I was a bit far behind actually, but managed to put myself in front then attack. I was thinking they were coming closer, but I just gave it my all. If I don’t stop pedaling, they for sure come back. And you never know, so I just go and go and go. In the end, I just won and I don’t believe. When I was at the finish, I asked everyone “Did I win, did I win?’,” Reijnhout said after the race.

The Elite Women riders roll out of Geelong on Saturday. Photo: JAMES TAYLOR

Laurence Pithie (Groupama – FDJ) claimed top honours at Sunday’s Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and became the first Kiwi to win a WorldTour one-day classic race, throwing his bike at just the right moment to pip Natnael Tesfazion (Lidl-Trek) and Georg Zimmerman (Intermache – Wanty).

“I was staying towards the front while those attacks were going. I knew I just had to be patient. I couldn’t be the one that closed them otherwise I wouldn’t have the legs for the sprint. I just had to wait. I got a little boxed in towards the end when everyone opened up towards the outside, but I managed to find a gap and work my way back,” Pithie said.

Race founder Cadel Evans said he was thrilled to see cycling fans and locals enjoying the event and is already looking forward to 2025.