The second edition of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race will feature nine WorldTour teams in 2016 with Australian riders Rohan Dennis (BMC) and Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge) the first two riders confirmed for the Geelong one-day race. Neither rider took place in this year's race with Dennis preparing for his successful UCI Hour Record attempt and Gerrans recovering from a broken collarbone. The 174km 1.HC race takes place in Geelong, host of the 2010 Worlds, on January 31.
"To have nine of the best cycling teams in the world travelling to Victoria is fantastic and I am sure like last time they will enjoy the challenges and unique style of racing that our course and conditions provide. I can’t wait to see it unfold," Cadel Evans said of the announcement.
Dennis, the 2015 winner of the 'Oppy' award, is yet to announce his 2016 goals after a success filled season in which he won the Tour Down Under, won the opening stage of the Tour de France to wear the first yellow jersey of the race, claimed overall victory at the USA Pro Challenge and helped BMC defend its team time trial World Championship title. It is likely that Dennis will ride the Australian national championships with the 25-year-old focusing on the time trial title although it is yet to be confirmed whether he will ride the Tour Down Under.
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"After seeing the inaugural race earlier this year, I can't wait to be part of it in January 2016," Dennis said. "I'm looking forward to starting the season off in Australia, and where better than along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria being cheered on by a passionate Aussie crowd."
After an injury plagued season in 2015, Gerrans is looking to "start the season all guns blazing" as Orica-GreenEdge sport director Matt White told Cyclingnews, with the 35-year-old to target a third national road title and fourth Tour Down Under victory. A proven one-day racer, Gerrans has won two of the five monuments, Milan-San Remo and Liège–Bastogne–Liège, along with GP's Ouest-France, Montreal and Quebec and his characteristics suits the parcours.
"Having been sidelined for the Australian season at the beginning of this year I'm really looking forward to being back amongst it and racing in front of home crowds again next year," Gerrans said.
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