Lineup for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race announced
The lineup for Deakin University’s Elite Women’s Race was announced by John Eren, Victorian minister for tourism and major events.
John Eren, Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events
The announcement:
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race leads the way in women’s cycling with live broadcast on Seven and stellar teams line-up
Tuesday, 22 November 2016
Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events, John Eren today announced an all-star line-up of international teams and riders for the Deakin University Elite Women’s Race which forms part of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, 27-29 January 2017.
In exciting news for the event and women’s cycling, Minister Eren also announced the Race will be broadcast live on the Seven Network on Saturday, 28 January 2017, the first time an Australian women’s cycling race has been broadcast live since the World Championships in Geelong in 2010.
“This is another win for gender equality in sport – and every step towards equality counts.
“The star-studded line-up for the race is simply outstanding. We knew the Elite Women’s Race would attract some of the world’s best cyclists and we were right.
“The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race isn’t just a stunning sporting spectacle, it shines a spotlight on one of Victoria’s most prized tourist destinations and creates new opportunities for local businesses.”
Eight UCI Women’s Teams, two international teams and four Cycling Australia National Road Series teams will battle it out for line honours as the women’s UCI 1.2 race gains significant attention in only its second year on the UCI calendar.
Australia’s own UCI Women’s Team, ORICA-AIS will return in 2017 with defending champion, Amanda Spratt set to defend her 2016 title.
Nominated to ride for German outfit, Canyon//SRAM Racing will be Aussie Tiffany Cromwell and Olympian Lisa Brennauer who has several big wins under her belt including the 2013 UCI Road World Championships.
Cylance from the United States will be another team to watch having confirmed Olympic gold medalist, three times World Champion and last year’s Deakin University Elite Women’s Race third place finisher, Danielle King. Olympian Kirsten Wild who placed second at this year’s UCI Road World Championships is also nominated to compete.
Returning to the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and racing with a different team in 2017 will be 2015 Australian National Road Race and Mountain Bike Champion, Peta Mullens riding for Hagens Berman Supermint.
Cycling fans and sport lovers unable to get to the Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast regions to see some of the world’s best female cyclists in the Deakin University Elite Women’s Race are encouraged to watch all the action on the Channels of Seven live broadcast between 1pm and 3pm on Saturday, 28 January 2017. The Race will also be streamed live on the PLUS 7 Live app.
Starting from the Geelong Waterfront at 11.45am, the 113km Deakin University Elite Women’s Race follows the majority of the Elite Men’s challenging course, travelling through Cadel Evans’ home town of Barwon Heads, on to Torquay and along part of the iconic Great Ocean Road, before heading inland back to the Geelong finish line.
The ultimate weekend of cycling and entertainment also includes the Swisse People’s Ride scheduled prior to the Women’s Race, featuring a 65km and 111km course where participants can ride shoulder to shoulder with Australia’s only Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans.
To view the full weekend activities and racing times, including the UCI WorldTour Elite Men’s race held on Sunday 29 January, stay updated at www.cadelevansgreatoceanroadrace.com.au. Follow @cadelroadrace on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Quotes attributed to Cadel Evans
“My vision for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road has always included a strong women’s race.”
“I’m thrilled we are able to provide a highly competitive event that attracts some of the world’s top female teams and riders and can’t wait to watch the race on 28 January.”
“To have the Deakin University Elite Women’s Race broadcast live places us on par with other big women’s races such as La Course.”
Quote attributed to Saul Shtein, Seven Network Head of Sport
“We’ve seen mass audiences watch women’s sporting events on Seven over the past year including the AFL women’s match, the Matildas’ successful Olympic qualifying campaign and a whole host of women’s sports from Rio 2016, so we look forward to bringing another outstanding event to Australian sports fans.”
Quotes attributed to defending champion Amanda Spratt (ORICA–AIS)
“I’m excited to be returning to the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race to pull on the number one bib and try to defend my title.”
“It’s great to see so many strong teams confirmed for 2017. This will definitely lift the standard of racing but we’ll be working hard to continue our winning streak in the event’s third year.”
“The race itself is one of the best organised in the world. The course offers up so many possibilities and is a great one for me and the whole ORICA-AIS team. It’s a great feeling to be able to race in Australia, the atmosphere coming up the straight being cheered on by an energetic Aussie crowd is amazing.”
Quotes attributable to Tracey Gaudry, Vice President UCI, President UCI Women’s Commission and President Oceania Cycling Confederation
“The number of women’s teams, particularly UCI Women’s teams confirmed for the 2017 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race is a reflection of the continued exceptional delivery of this world-
class event.”“The Deakin University Elite Women’s Race continues to go from strength to strength. In only its second year with UCI 1.2 Classification, the importance of this 1-day ‘classic’ in the global Women’s UCI Road Calendar is confirmed with the confirmation of 10 international teams including eight UCI Women’s Teams.”
“To have the race broadcast live on free-to-air television for Australian fans, with livestream from the PLUS 7 Live App, is extremely exciting for women’s cycling and more broadly for women in sport.”
Quotes attributable to Deakin University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jane den Hollander
“Sport and education have the power to transform lives and to unite communities. This is why we are proud to partner with the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, which shows perfectly how both fields can bring the wider community together.
“Deakin is passionate about supporting women to achieve their goals and so we support the Deakin University Elite Women’s Road Race. This event will showcase what excellent elite female cyclist can do. We believe at Deakin that all women should be able to achieve at the highest possible level in whatever they choose to do.”
