One coastal town. One Tour de France winner. One double Olympic champion. And 100 days until race week.
Cadel Evans and Jakara Anthony OAM both call Barwon Heads home, and today they came together on the beach in Barwon Heads to celebrate 100 days to go, start the countdown to the 2027 Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and to reveal Jakara as a 2027 event ambassador.
Jakara is one of the most decorated winter athletes Australia has produced. She won moguls gold at Beijing 2022, then did it again at Milano Cortina 2026 to become Australia’s first double Winter Olympic gold medallist.
What fewer people know is how much time she spends on the bike. Cycling has long been part of her training, and it’s something she simply loves doing.
“I’ve grown up watching this race come through our backyard and seeing what it means to the community, so being part of it is really exciting,” Jakara said.
She’s riding the TAC People’s Ride and you can too
On Saturday 30 January, Jakara will roll out from Steampacket Gardens in Geelong alongside thousands of everyday riders in the TAC People’s Ride.
“Cycling is a big part of my training and something I just love doing, so I can’t wait to line up in the TAC People’s Ride alongside thousands of other riders,” she said. “It’s such a great way to experience the course and the atmosphere.”
For Cadel, having another Barwon Heads athlete involved makes 2027 feel even more special.
“Jakara is one of the greatest athletes this country has produced, and to have her come from the same coastal town makes it pretty incredible,” he said. “She knows what it takes to perform on the world stage, and she’s a genuine cycling lover too, so she’s the perfect person to help us bring more people into the sport.”
His advice for anyone thinking about it? “One hundred days might sound like a long way off, but race week will be here before we know it. Now’s the time to lock in your plans.”
Pick your ride
The Cadel Classic (114km) — The full experience. Thirteenth Beach, Barwon Heads, Torquay and the Challambra Climb, the iconic ascent made famous at the 2010 UCI Road World Championships. Starts 7:00am.
Cadel’s Hometown (63km) — A flatter, scenic course through Barwon Heads, ideal for newer riders or anyone who wants to soak it in. Starts 7:30am.
Every entry includes the official Santini event jersey (valued at $229.95 RRP), on-course rider support and the post-ride recovery area.
Race week at a glance
The 2027 event runs from 27–31 January, with elite racing and community rides across five days:
- Wednesday 27 January — Surf Coast Classic, Women’s Race
- Thursday 28 January — Surf Coast Classic, Men’s Race
- Friday 29 January — GeelongPort Family Ride (free, all ages)
- Saturday 30 January — TAC People’s Ride, followed by the Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Women
- Sunday 31 January — Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Men
As Australia’s only UCI WorldTour one-day race, the event offers equal prize money across the elite women’s and men’s categories, and is broadcast live on SBS and to more than 75 countries and territories worldwide.
Make a weekend of it
Race week is the perfect excuse to stay a little longer. Ride on Saturday morning, watch the world’s best women race in the afternoon, then spend Sunday on the Surf Coast before the men’s race. Read our race week guide
Whether you’re chasing a time up Challambra, riding your first big event or bringing the kids to the Family Ride, there’s a place for you in race week. Jakara’s in. Cadel’s in. The only question is where you’ll be on 30 January.