The second annual Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race weekend saw record crowds come out to cheer on their heroes and watch two epic solo victories. Amanda Spratt won the elite women's event, finishing off a perfect summer for the Orica-AIS team. While in the men's elite race, Peter Kennaugh took an emotional win, holding off the chasing pack by a handful of seconds.
In case you missed any of the action, here's a recap of the weekend including the Kids Cycling Clinic, GMHBA Family Ride, Momentum Energy People's Ride, and all the race action.
Kids Cycling Clinic and the GMHBA Family Ride
Friday 29 January
A new addition to the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race weekend was the Kids Cycling Clinic and the GMHBA Family Ride. The two new events had some big names in attendance including the great man himself Cadel Evans, Aussie pocket-rocket Caleb Ewan, Cannondale Pro Cycling Team Captain Simon Clarke and Geelong Football Club legend Cameron Ling.
The kids were shown various skills at the cycling clinic before putting them into practice as they rode up and down the Eastern Beach foreshore with hundreds of other kids and parents in the GMHBA Family Ride.
Cadel Evans at the Kids Cycling Clinic and the GMHBA Family Ride
Crikey the BMC Croc at the Kids Cycling Clinic and the GMHBA Family Ride
Momentum Energy People's Ride
Saturday 30 January
The Momentum Energy People's Ride once again drew record crowds with over 4,000 riders taking part in either the 65km or 111km rides. The riders were greeting with perfect conditions, temperatures in the low 20's and not a breath of wind. The roads around Geelong and the Great Ocean Road were a sea of yellow with all the entrants wearing a jersey to celebrate the five-year anniversary of Cadel Evans’ historic Tour de France victory.
Jason and Dean enjoying the after ride glow of the Momentum Energy People's Ride
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race - Deakin Elite Women’s Race
Saturday 30 January
Amanda Spratt took out the women’s Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race with a solo run to the line on Saturday, finishing off a dream run in Australia’s summer season of racing for the rider and her Orica-AIS team.
Teammate and defending champion Rachel Neylan made it a one-two for Australia’s only UCI registered women’s team, taking out the sprint for second with Danielle King (Wiggle High5). Neylan was able to sit back and let the British rider do the work on the run in to the line as King did her best to reel in Spratt, who is reigning Australian national road champion.
“I think the biggest highlight is just the way everyone has been racing,” said Spratt after the podium presentation. “Everyone is on form, we are going in with a plan, everyone is committing 100 percent and everyone has been given opportunities too.”
“So I guess the aim now is to take that into the European season and aim for bigger results there as well,” said Spratt.
Read the full race report here
Orica-AIS enjoy Amanda Spratt's victory of the Deakin Elite Women’s Race
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Elite Men’s Race
Sunday 31 January
British national champion Peter Kennaugh (Sky) has soloed to victory in the second edition of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, attacking in the final of three laps around Geelong and holding on for an impressive victory.
Kennaugh attacked on the lower slopes of the steep Challambra Crescent climb with 13km left to race, catching Spanish climber Rafael Valls (Lotto Soudal) who was leading the race solo having dropped his breakaway companions just moments before.
Kennaugh crossed the top of the climb on his own, then time-trialed his way over the two remaining climbs and on to the finish on the Geelong waterfront.
“My legs didn’t feel good at all,” Kennaugh said. “They didn’t feel good all race but it just seemed like everyone else was starting to get tired and I kind of felt the same. So it was my last opportunity to win the race on that climb because I knew it was all about riding for Luke Rowe or Ben Swift [after that] so I just gave it everything and didn’t look back.
“Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn’t. Today it did. I’m very happy.”
Read the full race report here
Peter Kennaugh crossing the line victorious after an epic solo breakaway
