Surf Coast Classic, formerly known as Race Torquay, returns as appetizer before Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race will return to its pre-pandemic format in 2024 with the revival of the midweek races for elite men and women in the build-up to the main events.

The racing gets underway on the evening of Wednesday, January 24 with the women’s Geelong Classic and continues the following day with the men’s 1.1-ranked Surf Coast Classic.

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"The mid-week races will be a perfect tune up for the teams and riders ahead of an action-packed weekend of cycling," race director Scott Sunderland said in a statement released on Friday.

Previously known as Race Torquay when it was last held at UCI level in 2020, the Surf Coast Classic for elite men covers 150km route from Lorne to Torquay. Sam Bennett won the 2020 edition in a bunch sprint ahead of Giacomo Nizzolo and Alberto Dainese.

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