10 riders to watch at Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
From up-and-coming Australians to one of cycling’s greatest-ever names, find out which riders you should look out for during the weekend’s events.
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From the best up-and-coming Australian talent to one of the sport’s greatest-ever athletes, Geelong will host some of the world’s top cyclists at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race on the weekend.
It will be the first time since 2020 that the road race has gone ahead, and we have named the top 10 riders to watch out for during the weekend’s action.
Jai Hindley
Hindley will start the event as one of the favourites to take it out after a stunning 2022 season saw the 26-year-old rider claim victory at the Giro d’Italia.
He competed in the event in 2020 and has returned after staking his claim as one of Australia’s best riders, and will ride with Team Jayco AlUla
Hindley said he was eager to challenge for a victory in Geelong.
“It’s been a while since I was here last,” he said.
“I’ve learned plenty about how I need to ride and how I need to compete, I think the course is suited to me a bit and I’m excited at the chance of winning here.”
Michael Matthews
Another genuine threat to take out the race, Matthews is a four-time stage winner at the Tour de France and will be hot competition for the victory.
The UCI World Tour rider said the one-day classic format suited his style of riding, and he would love to claim victory in Geelong.
“I always have great memories returning to Geelong after winning the Under 23 UCI Road World Championships back in 2010. It’s a special place for me to race,” he said.
“Everybody is so motivated, and we have a great team so it’s going to be a good day out and I can’t wait to race again in front of all the fans in Geelong.”
Dries Devenyns
Defending champion Devenyns says he is eager to protect his crown in Geelong after two years of cancelled events, but he concedes it will not be an easy task.
“That’s for me for sure special because (it’s) not often I win a race, so for sure it will be nice to … try and go for a victory again but for sure that’s not going to be easy,” he said.
“I think I’ve got some good legs after last week competing in (the Tour) Down Under.”
Chris Froome
He may be 37 years old but the four-time Tour de France winner cannot be counted out.
The seven-time Grand Tour champion is continuing his comeback after a serious crash during a training run in 2019.
Froome claimed a Tour de France podium place in 2022, which was the first time he had done that since 2018, and while he has not won any major events since the 2018 Giro d’Italia, he is arguably the biggest drawcard in the event this year.
Simon Clarke
Clarke has fond memories of racing in Geelong, having competed at the Bay Crits earlier in January.
The Tour de France stage winner was competitive during the three-day series, but the one-day classic format suits Clarke’s style of riding.
He will race alongside Froome for Israel Premier-Tech and will be a top contender on the day.
Alex Manley
Manley is Australia’s second ranked female cyclist, and will be a leading contender to take out Saturday’s event.
Riding for Jayco AlUla, Manley will have a strong team around her and she said she was excited at the resumption of the event.
“I’m really excited to be able to race at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race,” she said.
“It’s been a while since I last raced there and it was sad that the race wasn’t able to go ahead the last couple of years.”
Ruby Roseman-Gannon
The name is not unfamiliar to cycling fans throughout Geelong.
Ruby Roseman-Gannon is the two-time and defending champion of the Bay Crits, having successfully defended her title earlier in January with two stage wins from three.
Roseman-Gannon will race alongside Manly for Jayco AlUla and will have another chance to enjoy the Bellarine Peninsula.
Amanda Spratt
Spratt will look to continue her fine 2023 form in Geelong after a strong showing in the Bay Crits and podium finishes at the Tour Down Under and National Road Championships.
The 35 year old finished first in the mountain classifications at the Tour Down Under and claimed second overall, as well as third in the nationals in January.
Spratt will be a strong contender at the single-day event.
Grace Brown
The Tour Down Under winner will be expected to continue her good form into the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
Brown claimed victory in Australia’s biggest cycling event for the first time, while also finishing first in the Australian National Championships time trial, and second in the road race.
The Olympic cyclist will race with FDJ-Suez, with the team expected to be a strong contender for the overall win.
Chloe Hosking
Hosking was another strong performer at the Bay Crits in early January, but she will return to Geelong with a goal to claim victory at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
The 32-year-old rider has more than 40 professional victories to her name, including a Commonwealth Games gold medal, but she had to fight off an unexpected early retirement.
Hosking’s team, B&B Hotels team, collapsed at the end of 2022 and left her without a contract, but she will ride with the Australian National Team at the Geelong-based event.
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