Loes Adegeest wins Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

The winner of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race has enjoyed a swift rise to the top thanks to virtual cycling. Find out why.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 28: (L-R) Amanda Spratt of Australia and Team Trek - Segafredo on second place, race winner Loes Adegeest of The Netherlands and Team FDJ-SUEZ and Nina Buijsman of The Netherlands and Team Human Powered Health on third place pose on the podium ceremony after the 7th Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race 2023 - Women's Elite a 140,8km one day race from Geelong to Geelong / #CadelRoadRace / #UCIWWT / on January 28, 2023 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

THE ride to the top of women’s cycling has been swift for Loes Adegeest, who claimed her first World Tour victory at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in Geelong.

The 26-year-old Dutch rider beat Australian Amanda Spratt in a sprint to the finish line to claim the win in Geelong on Saturday.

Adegeest, whose Zwift exploits propelled her professional road racing career, said the virtual racing she had competed in helped set up the maiden victory in her first season at the top level.

“I used to do some Zwift racing in the winter and I think that helped a lot, both with the heat and density,” she said.

“This is a real good course for Zwift races I think, effort, rest and then go again.

Loes Adegeest chased down Amanda Spratt for the victory at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Picture: Tim de Waele

“It’s how Zwift races are so I’m used to this, a lot of riders have to race a bit more on the road to really get into that shape and I really didn’t struggle with the heat.

“I knew this course suited me and that there was a chance.”

Tour Down Under winner Grace Brown was a heavy favourite coming into the event, but after Adegeest’s strong start to the race, their team, FDJ-Suez, switched tactics in the middle of the race.

“Plan A was obviously to go for Grace, after the climb it worked well for me because I didn’t have to ride in that group because Grace was still in the plan,” Adegeest said.

Loes Adegeest claimed victory at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Picture: Tim de Waele

“But we switched before the second climb and I felt good on the climbs.

“I felt I could follow Spratt and I was actually the only one that could really follow Spratt so I knew it could be that way, I wasn’t sure if Grace would make it back, so I knew after the first climb it could be my day.

“I knew I had to come from the wheel so I forced Spratt to the front and the gap for big enough to play poker a little bit.

“I tried that and it worked out, I could sprint like I wanted it.”

Originally published as Loes Adegeest wins Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race