Wave of welcome washes in at Fairhaven for female cyclists

February 6, 2020 BY James Taylor

Cadel Evans (centre) with previous Elite Women's Ride winners Rachel Neyland, Chloe Hosking, Amanda Spratt and Arlenis Sierra. Photo: NAWAL AL-ADASANI

FEMALE cyclists taking part in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race basked in the coastal surroundings at this year’s Welcome Wave.

Two of the Team Sunweb team try the gelato. Photo: JAMES TAYLOR

The annual event was held in the new location of the Fairhaven SLSC clubhouse, and the cyclists enjoyed the ocean views and the abundant photographic opportunities. Some even joined a game of beach cricket with the locals.

The Mitchelton-Scott team joins a game of beach cricket. Photo: JAMES TAYLOR

Over dinner, the 170 guests listened to a range of speakers, including race founder and Tour de France winner Cadel Evans, Deakin University vice chancellor Professor Iain Martin and Surf Coast Shire chief executive officer Keith Baillie and Cr Margot Smith.

Event MC Matt Keenan chats with Ruth Pinder, Chloe Hosking and Amanda Spratt. Photo: NAWAL AL-ADASANI

Event MC Matt Keenan also presided over an entertaining panel featuring Ruth Winder (Trek-Segafredo), Chloe Hosking (Rally UHC Cycling) and Amanda Spratt (Mitchelton-Scott), which became a good-natured banter session about how all of the other teams were on the #DropChloe campaign for the next day’s Race Torquay and Saturday’s Elite Women’s Race.