A CELEBRATION OF CYCLING ON THE COAST
Here’s everything you need to know about the five days of cycling action at the 2027 Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
Wednesday 27 January – Sunday 31 January 2027
With epic scenery, an electric atmosphere, family-friendly activities, the chance to challenge yourself on the bike, and an opportunity to see the world’s best cyclists up close – make sure you plan your long weekend to make the most of the 2027 Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
Challambra Live Site
Mechanics Live Site
Torquay
Barwon Heads & Thirteenth Beach
Geelong Botanic Gardens
EVENT VILLAGE
EVENT VILLAGE (Start/Finish Precinct)
Steampacket Gardens
Be in the thick of the action – The Event Village is the beating heart of the Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race festival!
Top tip: The biggest crowds will gather here so parking will be at a premium. Arrive early and be prepared for a short walk from your car to your parking spot or the train station.
The traditional Start/Finish precinct is the central place to soak up the excitement of the weekend’s elite races, the start and finish locale for Saturday morning’s TAC People’s Ride and the Friday night GeelongPort Family Ride.
Lots of fun family friendly activities, cycling expo and various food and beverage options are on display across the event weekend in Geelong’s beautiful Steampacket Gardens.
A chance to meet the world’s best cyclists up close before they race, fans will hear insights and pre-race strategy from each team during the Team’s Presentation and Sign-On. Hosted by Dave McKenzie on the main stage, Team Presentation will feature all the big-name riders and will take place in the hours preceding the elite race starts.
On Saturday between 11:30am – 12:30pm, and on Sunday between 12:00pm – 1:00pm will be the best time for autographs and selfies with the riders as they make their way around the stage for presentations.
After formalities, including the Welcome To Country and the Australian National Anthem, the peloton will depart, and fans will be able to follow the racing action with the broadcast including commentary on the big screen.
A celebration of cycling culture, the village will have interactive partner activations to keep you entertained, delicious food and beverage options, an official event merchandise stall and live roaming entertainment throughout the weekend’s schedule.
Once the race returns to Geelong it’s a rush to the course barricades to watch the thrilling finales to both the men’s & women’s Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Races.
In the afternoon, winner and jersey presentations – including the famous champagne celebrations – will take place on the main stage following both races.
Friday 30 January: 4:00pm - 7:45pm.
With teams and riders finishing their training rides throughout the day, and many coming out to cheer on the kids in the GeelongPort Family Ride, you never know who you will bump into at the Event Village on Friday!
GeelongPort Family Ride:
Session 1: 5:30pm – 6:10pm
Session 2: 6:15pm – 6:45pm
The Geelong waterfront lights up with the FREE family-fun twilight edition of our GeelongPort Family Ride. With free T-Shirts given to the first 500 registrants, our little cyclists will complete a new lengthened 2.4km circuit course featuring a ‘Kid of the Mountain’ climb and the same finishing gantry as the elite races.
Off the bike, there’ll be plenty of kids’ activities including a ‘style-your-ride’ activation, face painting, airbrush tattoos, bubble bikes and roaming performers.
TAC People’s Ride kit & jersey collection: 4:00pm – 7:45pm
Streamline your event morning by picking up your rider pack including your TAC People’s Ride jersey when our collection point opens on Friday night.
Saturday 30 January: 5:30am – 5:30pm
From dawn to dusk, the Event Village at Steampacket Gardens will be pumping on Saturday as our Australian cycling community comes together for the TAC People’s Ride and watch the elite women race for glory.
TAC People’s Ride kit & jersey collection: 5:30am – 7:30am
TAC People’s Ride:
The Classic Cadel (114km) – Start 7:00am
Cadel’s Hometown (63km) – Start 7:30am
The sense of camaraderie and community on the waterfront start-line is electric as thousands of everyday cyclists take to the roads alongside Australian cycling royalty including Cadel Evans and Grace Brown.
With the finish line of the TAC People’s Ride within Steampacket Gardens, celebrate your achievement with a refreshing beverage, watch the Team Presentations that take place and catch the start of the Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Women at 12:40pm.
Team Presentations & Sign-On – Women: 11:30am – 12:30pm
Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Women: 12:40pm – approx. 4:25pm finish time with presentations to follow.
The Event Village will come alive with the start and finish of the Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Women taking place on Eastern Beach Road
The women complete two laps of the ‘Geelong circuit’, passing by Steampacket Gardens once before the final sprint. They’ll pass at approximately 3:40pm and would be expected to finish sometime between 4:25pm – 4:50pm.
Winner and jersey presentations – including the famous champagne celebrations – will take place on the main stage immediately following the finish.
Sunday 31 January 10:00am – 7:00pm
The culmination of a huge week of cycling, Sunday will see us crown the 2027 winner of the Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
Team Presentations & Sign-On – Men: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Men: 1:10pm – approx. 5:45pm finish time with presentations to follow.
The Event Village will come alive with the start and finish of the Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Men taking place on Eastern Beach Road.
The men complete 4.5 laps of the ‘Geelong circuit’, passing by the finish line four times before the final sprint. They’ll pass at approximately 3:40pm, 4:10pm, 4:35pm, 5:05pm and would be expected to finish sometime between 5:30pm – 6:00pm.
Winner and jersey presentations – including the famous champagne celebrations – will take place on the main stage immediately following the finish.
How to get there:
Public transport is the best way to arrive at the Start/Finish Precinct. Take the train to Geelong Station and a 10-minute walk to the Start/Finish Precinct.
Better yet, cycle your way to the event. There will be plenty of bike parking at Steampacket Gardens.
If driving, once in Geelong, avoid Western Beach and Eastern Beach Road and between Moorabool and Bellarine Streets, as there will be road closures. Instead, use Princes Highway, Latrobe Terrace, Mercer Street or Ryrie Street.
CHALLAMBRA KOM & QOM LIVE SITE
CHALLAMBRA KOM & QOM LIVE SITE
Montpellier Park, Highton
Soak up the party atmosphere and see the sweat and agony on the faces of the world’s best cyclists.
The steep Challambra Climb, made famous by the 2010 UCI Road World Championships, will witness the Elite Men climb five times on Sunday, with the Elite Women racing over twice on their way to the finish on Saturday.
Be there at Montpellier Park across the weekend for a feature-packed program. Pull up a beanbag or a deckchair and watch the whole race on the big screen. Participate in community activities for prizes and giveaways with everyone’s favourite Frenchman Christophe Mallet as live MC, and replenish yourself with food and beverage vendors Blackman’s Brewery, Gyspsy Burgers and 3rd Reef Coffee.
The live site is open from 12:00pm – 5:15pm on Saturday and 12:00pm – 5:30pm on Sunday.
Take part in the traditional road chalking between 2:00pm – 3:00pm on Sunday and find a spot along the barriers to watch the race up Challambra.
Top tip: Bring a deckchair, buy some food and drinks, and set yourself up in front of the big screen to watch the action unfold before the peloton reaches the climb!
Saturday 30 January: 12:00pm - 5:15pm
Feel the burn of the infamous climb as part of the mass participation TAC People’s Ride Long Course, and find a spot to cheer on the Elite Women’s race at the summit.
TAC People’s Ride: Long Course riders will ascend Challambra from approximately 09:45am until 1:20pm or later, the 105km mark of the 114km ride.
The Challambra Segment – an 845m King of the Mountain (KOM) and Queen of the Mountain (QOM) final ascent – will feature ranked times included in your results. Family and friends can follow your progress live using the SportsSplits Tracker App.
Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Women: The peloton is expected to ascend Challambra Climb at approximately 3:25pm – 3:45pm and again between 4:00pm – 4:20pm.
QOM points will be awarded at the summit both times.
Sunday 31 January: 12:00pm - 5:30pm
See the agony on the faces of the world’s best cyclists and be part of the party to cheer on the men who ascend Challambra Climb five times on their way to the finish.
Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Men: The peloton is expected to ascend Challambra Climb at approximately 3:30pm, 3:55pm, 4:25pm, 4:50pm and 5:20pm.
KOM points will be awarded at the summit on the first four climbs.
How to get there: Arrive early to beat the crowds and traffic management treatments. If coming from Melbourne or the Surf Coast, use the Princes Freeway and either take the Barrabool Road off-ramp* or Princes Highway off-ramp and come up via South Valley Road. If you are coming from Central Geelong, why not ride your bike?
*This is part of the course, so please arrive early.
Parking: The closest off-street parking is Barrabool Hills Plaza or Highton Village. There is limited on-street parking, but please be respectful when parking on the street in front of residential properties. Mt Pleasant Road is a good option, and it’s a walk from here. Please don’t park on the course.
MECHANICS LIVE SITE
MECHANICS LIVE SITE
Transvaal Square, Geelong
Rub shoulders with the world’s best teams and see the mechanics at work at Transvaal Square, near the Geelong waterfront!
The Mechanics Live Site will host seven teams and the Shimano Neutral Service, giving a behind-the-scenes look at how a a professional cycling team prepares for a One-Day Cycling event. Fans will have the chance to interact with the riders and witness team mechanics in their working environment.
How to get there: Transvaal Square is a short walk from the Start/Finish Precinct at Steampacket Gardens. During the week there is plenty of parking around the area.
Top tip: Before the weekend’s races, remember to bring your merchandise in case you bump into some of the cyclists returning from a training ride. You never know who you are going to see!
TORQUAY
TORQUAY BEACH
The Esplanade, Torquay
With the beach as your backdrop, enjoy a leisurely afternoon and witness the world’s best cyclists flash through the iconic holiday township of Torquay.
With convenient amenities, including local cafes, breweries, boutique shops, and public toilets all close by, Torquay is a practical and scenic location to cheer on the race. This is also an excellent place to stop and recharge during the TAC People’s Ride.
On the weekend, the race will pass through on their way towards Bells Beach.
Wednesday 27 January: 1:45pm - 2:15
Surf Coast Classic – Women: After 123.6 km from Lorne, the peloton passes Bells Beach at approximately 1:40pm – 2:00pm and races along The Esplanade to the finish near Cowrie Road at approximately 1:55pm – 2:15pm.
Thursday 28 January: 1:45pm - 2:15pm
Surf Coast Classic – Men: After 162 km from Lorne, the peloton passes Bells Beach at approximately 2:05pm – 2:20pm and finishes on The Esplanade near Cowrie Road at approximately 2:15pm – 2:30pm.
Saturday 30 January: Morning - 2:10pm
TAC People’s Ride: The Long Course riders are expected to pass through Torquay from 8:29am until 10:15am or later, the 49km mark of the 114km ride. A rider’s Aid Station will be set-up at Elephant Walk Car Park (opposite Zeally Bay Road on The Esplanade). The Short Course riders do not pass through Torquay.
Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Women: The peloton is expected to pass through Torquay at approximately 1:55pm – 2:10pm.
Sunday 31 January: 2:10pm - 2:25pm
Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Men: The peloton is expected to pass through Torquay at approximately 2:10pm – 2:25pm.
How to get there: Use the Surf Coast Highway from the north and turn left into any street between Zeally Bay Road and Price Street.
If coming from the Surf Coast, use the Great Ocean Road and turn right on Anderson Street or Bristol Road. Avoid parking on The Esplanade or Bell Street as they are on the course.
Top tip: With The Esplanade featuring beautiful beaches on one side of the road and top cafes and eateries on the other, make sure you stand on the side of the road with the best vantage point and background for your photos!
BARWON HEADS & THIRTEENTH BEACH
Flying over the picturesque Barwon Heads Bridge and along the famous Thirteenth Beach, Cadel’s hometown of Barwon Heads will see the weekend’s elite races pass through.
Book your accommodation or arrive early to grab a bite, a coffee, visit the shops or hit the local recreational riding trails while in the town.
How to get there: Access the town via Barwon Heads Road (Note: Traffic management will be in place on Saturday morning). For parking, try Flinders Parade Bridge Road, near the IGA. Avoid parking on Barwon Heads-Ocean Grove Road, Bridge Road and Ewing Blyth Drive, as they are part of the course.
Top tip: Don’t be late to town! Get there early to grab a bite to eat or a coffee at one of the cafes to keep you entertained before the race passes through.
Saturday 30 January: 7:45am - 1:30pm
TAC People’s Ride: Both Long and Short Course riders will cross the Barwon Heads Bridge and follow Ewing Blyth Drive onto Thirteenth Beach Road, around the 28 km mark. Long Course riders are expected from approximately 7:45am to 9:05am, and Short Course riders from approximately 8:15am to 9:30am.
A rider Aid Station will be set up on Thirteenth Beach Road
Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Women: The peloton is expected to cross the Barwon Heads Bridge at approximately 1:15pm – 1:30pm before following Thirteenth Beach Road towards Torquay.
Sunday 31 January: 1:35apm - 1:55pm
Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Men: The peloton is expected to cross the Barwon Heads Bridge at approximately 1:35pm – 1:55pm before following Thirteenth Beach Road towards Torquay.
GEELONG BOTANIC GARDENS
GEELONG BOTANIC GARDENS
Eastern Park, Geelong
Watch the race over and over again with an unforgettable bay backdrop.
Nestled in the picturesque surroundings of the Geelong Botanic Gardens, fans will have the opportunity to enjoy one of the best vantage points Geelong and the Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race has to offer.
The weekend’s elite races loop through the Botanic Gardens via Hearne Parade and Eastern Park Circuit on every lap of the Geelong city loop. The sloped green banks offer the perfect spot to watch the riders as they make their last attacks in the closing stages.
Saturday 30 January: 7:00am - 4:05pm
Escape the hustle of central Geelong and catch the start of the TAC People’s Ride and the Elite Women’s race by the Botanic Gardens twice on Saturday afternoon.
TAC People’s Ride: Both courses roll along Hearne Parade soon after the start, from approximately 7:00am (Long Course) and 7:30am (Short Course) until about 7:50am.
Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Women: The peloton will pass the Botanic Gardens twice: at approximately 12:40pm (neutral zone) and 3:40pm – 4:05pm.
Sunday 31 January: 1:10pm - 5:30pm
The Botanic Gardens will be the perfect place for a picturesque afternoon picnic and watch the Elite Men’s race pass by five times.
Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Men: The peloton will pass by the Botanic Gardens four times on Sunday afternoon at approximately 1:10pm (neutral zone), 3:40pm, 4:10pm, 4:35pm and 5:05pm.
How to get there: Public transport is the best way to arrive at the Botanic Gardens. Take the train to Geelong Station and a 15-minute walk to the Botanic Gardens. Better yet, cycle your way to the spot.
If driving, once in Geelong, avoid Western Beach and Eastern Beach Road and between Moorabool and Bellarine Streets, as there will be road closures, and instead, use Ryrie Street.
Please note that Hearne Parade and Eastern Park Circuit are within the Botanic Gardens and are part of the course, so you may experience delays.
Parking: Hearne Parade Car Park will be the best place to park, and will be accessible via Eastern Park Circuit. Note there may be delays to get here as the peloton makes it way through the Botanic Gardens.
Lorne
MOUNTJOY PARADE, LORNE
Mountjoy Parade, Lorne
Watch the start of the Surf Coast Classic as they set off from Lorne to Torquay.
Both Surf Coast Classics start on Mountjoy Parade between William Street and Bay Street. After a 1.2 km neutral roll-out over the Erskine River and onto Deans Marsh Road, racing begins as the peloton climbs into the Otway hinterland. The route heads through Deans Marsh, Birregurra, Bambra and Moriac before returning to the coast at Bells Beach and finishing in Torquay.
Wednesday 27 January: 11:00am
Women’s Surf Coast Classic The Womens Surf Coast Classics start on Mountjoy Parade between William Street and Bay Street. After a 1.2 km neutral roll-out over the Erskine River and onto Deans Marsh Road, racing begins as the peloton climbs into the Otway hinterland. The route heads through Deans Marsh, Birregurra, Bambra and Moriac before returning to the coast at Bells Beach and finishing in Torquay.
Thursday 28 January: 11:00am
The Men’s Surf Coast Classics start on Mountjoy Parade between William Street and Bay Street. After a 1.2 km neutral roll-out over the Erskine River and onto Deans Marsh Road, racing begins as the peloton climbs into the Otway hinterland. The route heads through Deans Marsh, Birregurra, Bambra and Moriac before returning to the coast at Bells Beach and finishing in Torquay.
2027 COURSE MAP
Make the most of your time down the coast and book accommodation to stay across the week of cycling action.
Get involved in our FREE GeelongPort Family Ride, or challenge yourself and ride the same roads as the pros in the TAC People’s Ride.
For more information, including places to eat, drink, see and do, be sure to check out our weekend planner.
PLAN YOUR WEEKEND