Having started at UCI 1.1 status in its first year, rising to HC level for its second edition, the race organisers of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race are celebrating its new found WorldTour status for its third edition in 2017 to be held Saturday, January 28.
Created to honour the legacy of Cadel Evans, the 174km Geelong one-day race will become Australia's second WorldTour event after the Tour Down Under and first one-day WorldTour event on the updated and expanded 2017 calendar.
"I am absolutely delighted that our vision has been realised and Australia now has its own modern one-day classic," Evans said of the UCI announcement to grant a three year WorldTour license. "For world cycling this means the classic season will now start in Geelong on January 29, 2017. And, our race will become a critical part of the season with teams and individuals vying for early season points in order to set up their entire year.
"To have such an important race showcase a beautiful region that feels like my 'cycling backyard' is something I am very proud of."
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The 2017 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race will remain unchanged from the 2016 route, as will the women's 113 km race to be held on Saturday 28 January.
UCI Vice President Tracey Gaudry also welcomed the announcement which was symbolic of the continuing growth of cycling in Australia.
"To have the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race join the UCI WorldTour in only its third year is an exceptional achievement and is fantastic for the growth of the sport in this region," Gaudry said.
"The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race is testimony to cycling's pinnacle series being truly global, and cements Australia as one of the great locations for major cycling events outside Europe."
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