The COVID-19 race cancellations of 2021 and 2022 put a serious dent in the evolution and growth of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race but 2025 sees the addition of the mid-week Surf Coast Classic races for men and women before the WorldTour races at the weekend.
“But we’re here today. In 2025 we have a Women’s one day Surf Coast Classic and the men’s so we’re really, really happy.” Race director Scott Sunderland said with pride after working to develop the races after the pandemic.
The 118km event for the women and 157km for the men, which will unfold on Thursday, is a far cry from the former mid-week events like the Albert Park kermesse or Race Torquay which played out on a circuit. They provide a far more fitting run toward the Classics, which many of the riders in Australia are working towards.
There were a few riders who didn’t make it to the end, with the ten kilometre climb at the start putting them on the back foot from the get go. It was clear what a charged battle was unfolding in the un-televised race, from the chatter over race radio and after the finish.
“For 85% of the riders, it was a good day out,” said Sunderland who is also a race director for Flanders Classics in Belgium.
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