Everything you need to know about the Cadel Evans road race

Not sure where catch all the action at the Cadel Evans road race? Never fear, here’s your guide to every event at this weekend’s 5th annual road race and how you can race along side Australia’s only Tour de France winner.

The Cadel Evans road race is set to take the picturesque Great Ocean Road for the fifth year running.

The UCI World Tour event has become a staple on the Australian racing calendar and is growing in popularity each year.

Five different races will be taking place over the four days of competition from January 24th to January 27th.

The Elite Women’s Race will compete on Saturday 26 January, before the Elite Men’s event on Sunday 27 January.

In 2018, the weekend of world-class racing attracted 80,000 spectators, generating more than $10 million in economic benefit, according to council figures.

Despite concerns, the family ride will be returning to the event following a clash with the Festival of Sails last year.

The 1.6km family-friendly ride along Western and Eastern Beach roads gives children and their families the chance to take the course with the Tour de France winner himself, plus other local celebrities and elite riders.

So you don’t miss a thing, here’s our guide to the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road race.

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Chloe Hosking will be hoping to defend her crown. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

WHAT IS THE CADEL EVANS ROAD RACE?

The Cadel Evans road race event take place over four days, and features the elite men’s and women’s road races, criterium races, a mass participation ride and a family ride.

WHEN IS THE RACE?

The four day event begins on January 24th and will conclude on January 27th.

WHO WON IN 2018?

The men’s elite road race was won by Jay McCarthy and the women’s race was won by Chloe Hosking.

WHAT IS THE ROUTE?

The elite men and women’s race will start in Geelong, travel through Cadel’s home town of Barwon Heads and pass by Thirteenth Beach, Torquay, Bells Beach, the rolling hills around Moriac and will finish on Geelong’s Waterfront.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Thursday 24 January (Melbourne)

4:10pm: Towards Zero Race Melbourne Elite Women’s Race (CRT): 63.6km

6:20pm: Towards Zero Race Melbourne Elite Men’s Race (CRT): 74.2km

Note: 3:00pm Ride4All cancelled due to extreme weather.

Friday 25 January (Geelong)

5.00pm: VEGEMITE Family Ride

6:15pm: Elite Women’s and Men’s Team Presentations

Saturday 26 January (Geelong)

From 7:00am: Swisse People’s Ride: 35km, 65km, 115km

12:25pm: Deakin University Elite Women’s Race UCI 1.1: 113km

Sunday 27 January (Geelong)

11:10am: Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race UCI WorldTour Elite Men’s Race: 164km

Last year’s winner Jay McCarthy will return to the Great Ocean Road to defend his 2018 title. Picture: Peter Ristevski

RACES

RACE MELBOURNE

When: 24th of January

*NOTE: THE RIDE4ALL EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO EXTREME HEAT

Elite Women’s Criterium

Start time: 4:10pm

Distance: 12 laps x 5.3km circuit. Total of 63.6km

Elite Men’s Criterium

Start time: 6:20pm

Distance: 14 laps x 5.3km circuit. Total 74.2km

FAMILY RIDE

When: 25th of January

Time: 5.00pm — 6:00pm (gathering at start line from 4:20pm)

Sign-in*: From 3:00pm in Steampacket gardens

Distance: 1.6km

Ride with: Cadel Evans, elite riders and local celebrities

PEOPLE’S RIDE

When: January 26th, 2019

Start time: 7:00am for 65km and 115km, 7.45am for 35km

Inclusions: Exclusive Santini jersey and finish line festivities

Ride with: Tour de France winner Cadel Evans

ELITE MEN’S ROAD RACE

When: January 27th, 2019

Start time: 11.10am

Distance: 163km

Average speed: 41.2km/h

ELITE WOMEN’S ROAD RACE

When: January 26th, 2019

Start time: 12.25pm

Distance: 113km

Average speed: 37.5km/h

The final climb up Yarra Street will test all riders. Picture: Alan Barber

BEST PLACE TO WATCH THE RACE?

There are plenty of great places across Geelong and the Surf Coast regions to watch the race. Check out organiser’s guide to the best spots, and how to make your there.

TRAFFIC DISRUPTIONS

Sections of the road along the course will be temporarily closed as the race travels through. The rolling road closure is expected to pass through the course within 15-20 minutes. Outside of this period, access is maintained using the course roads under the direction of traffic controllers. You can see all expected road closures here.

All information sourced from Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road website

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