Cadel Evans reveals hopes for 2023 People’s Ride in Geelong

Tour de France winner Cadel Evans hopes to inspire the next generation of cyclists with the return of the People’s Ride next year.

Cadel Evans has revealed his hopes for 2023 People’s Ride, ahead of its 2023 return. Picture: Brad Fleet

Cadel Evans is hoping to inspire the next generation of cyclists when his People’s Ride returns to Geelong after a two-year hiatus.

The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and the People’s Ride will return in January after the Covid-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2021 and 2022 events.

Tour de France winner Evans said his goal was to inspire the younger generation.

“For me personally, a personal goal with the race is that mums or dads bring their kids to the race, and that maybe their kids grow up inspired by the professionals to be a bike rider, and take up cycling themselves,” he said.

“That’s something I would love to see happen for the People’s Ride.

Evans, pictured on 13th Beach, Barwon Heads, said one of his biggest hopes was showcasing the region. Picture: Brad Fleet

“My (other) biggest hope, and a big part of the objective, is showcasing the Great Ocean Road, (and) Geelong and the Surf Coast.

“These images are being beamed around Australia but also around the world. In terms of tourism promotion, anyone who’s watched the Tour de France and wished to go to France would understand, it’s hopefully quite effective.

“That’s really a big part of the race on a broader scale.”

Evans said he was “very happy and relieved” to have the event back up and running after the pandemic despite some challenges.

“Stopping an event’s hard, starting it again’s even more difficult,” he said.

“Cycling over the two year period has continued to evolve, as it does, so there’s a few little adjustments that we’ve had to make in terms of the costs and the difficulty of the race, and so on.”

Evans said he couldn’t wait to be on the start line with the hopefully 3000-4000 participants next year.

The People’s Ride will be held on January 28.

To register visit cadelevansgreatoceanroadrace.com.au/peoples-ride

Originally published as Cadel Evans reveals hopes for 2023 People’s Ride in Geelong