What can Matthew Brennan and Sarah Van Dam do in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race?
If the wildfires stay contained, this weekend features the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. With Jay Vine out, there is no clear top favorite in the men's field, while Ally Wollaston is the woman to beat among the women. It will be interesting to see what Visma's Matthew Brennan and Sarah Van Dam can do here. WielerFlits looks ahead.
Last year
Women
Men
Course and information
Men
The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race measures 185 kilometers for the men and starts and finishes in Geelong. The peloton leaves the city heading south and west, along the Bellarine Peninsula and through towns such as Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, and Torquay. Then follows the iconic stretch along the Surf Coast, with ocean views and famous surf spots like Bells Beach. The first part of the race is relatively flat, but shortly after the halfway point, the route turns inland bringing the first real climbs.
In the final phase, the race returns toward Geelong via a local circuit of about 25 kilometers, with multiple climbs of Challambra Crescent (1 kilometer at 9 percent). This is the main obstacle where the race usually gets decided. The finish is back in downtown Geelong, on the waterfront.
Women
The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race for women is slightly shorter at 145 kilometers compared to the men. The course is otherwise nearly the same. The race also starts and finishes in Geelong but has one less loop in the finale. Here too, the climb of Challambra Crescent (1 kilometer at 9.8 percent) is crucial.
Participants
Men
Jay Vine would have been the clear top favorite to win the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in the men's field, but the Australian suffered a wrist fracture after a crash in the final stage of the Tour Down Under and will not compete in Geelong. This opens up the race considerably. At UAE Emirates XRG, Adam Yates is currently (almost) the only rider not injured, and much is expected from the Brit.
Last year’s winner, Mauro Schmid, is also back. The Swiss rider is in good shape again, having finished second in the general classification of the Tour Down Under. Laurence Pithie is also a strong contender. We have some question marks next to Matthew Brennan’s name. Are the climbs of Challambra Crescent too tough for him? We think so.
Women
Among the women, Ally Wollaston is the big favorite. The FDJ United-Suez rider from New Zealand has already won two stages in the Tour Down Under and is also the defending champion of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
It’s logical that all eyes will be on her. Her biggest rivals appear to be Noemi Ruegg, Paula Blasi, and Visma's Sarah Van Dam. Van Dam is especially an interesting name to watch. The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race is a race that seems tailor-made for her on paper.
