Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, Festival of Sails to headline Geelong’s mega weekend
More than 100,000 people are expected to attend the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and the Festival of Sails this weekend, which pumped more than $20m into our local economy last year.
Geelong
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More than 100,000 people will descend on Geelong and the Surf Coast as the region gears up for a mega weekend of events.
Cycling enthusiasts will gather for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, which is being held across Geelong, the Surf Coast and the Bellarine, while the Festival of Sails will be held along Geelong’s waterfront from Friday until Sunday.
Last year, the cycling event pumped $10.7m into the local economy and the sailing festival provided $11.6m, according to Geelong council.
The free sailing festival, hosted by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, is the oldest sporting event in the southern hemisphere and will feature boat racing, market stalls and live entertainment.
The regatta attracts more than 250 yachts each year and more than 2000 participants from around the world.
As part of the international cycling event, there will be five events from Thursday until Sunday.
The family ride, a 1.3km circuit at Eastern Beach, will be held on Friday from 6pm to 7pm and the people’s ride, a 113km or 59km course around Geelong, Barwon Heads and Torquay, will kick off from 7am on Saturday.
The women’s elite road race will start at 12.30pm on Saturday, while the men’s will be held on Sunday from 11am.
More than 180 of the world’s best cyclists from 27 countries will take part in the elite races.
A number of roads across the region will be closed at various times during the weekend including Eastern Beach Rd, Barrabool Rd in Highton, the Great Ocean Road and the Esplanade in Torquay.
The Geelong Ring Rd and Latrobe Terrace will remain open.
Spectators can head to the Velo Village at Steampacket Gardens to soak up all the action and watch the races as well as enjoy live entertainment browse a variety of stalls.
There will be a live site at Montpellier Park in Highton, near Challambra Crescent, from 10am on Saturday and 9am on Sunday.
There will be limited on-street parking so spectators are encouraged to park at Barrabool Hills Plaza or Highton Village.
Fans can head to cheer sites along the Esplanade in Torquay and at the Barwon Heads bridge.
A fireworks display will be held at Eastern Beach on Friday at 9.30pm.
“Major events like the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and the Festival of Sails play a huge role in our visitor economy,” Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said.
Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman said local hotels, restaurants and cafes will benefit from the international events being held in Geelong this weekend.
For more information, head to cadelevansgreatoceanroadrace.com.au and festivalofsails.com.au.
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