On the eve of the 2023 event, the Seven Network today announced it will remain the free-to-air broadcast partner of Australia’s premier cycling classic, the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, until 2025.
The three-year deal will see the women’s and men’s elite races broadcast on Seven and 7plus, as well as the ever-popular 125 kilometre people’s ride.
Ahead of this weekend’s event, Australian stars Jai Hindley, Michael Matthews and Alex Manly will be among the leading contenders when a host of the world’s best cyclists do battle along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, live and free on the Seven Network this weekend.
Returning for the first time since 2020, the spectacular backdrop of Victoria’s Surf Coast will be front-and-centre for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, which features the UCI WorldTour Deakin University Elite Women’s Road Race on Saturday, 28 January, and the UCI WorldTour Elite Men’s Road Race on Sunday, 29 January.
Fresh off their commentary in Seven’s coverage of this year’s Tour Down Under, the international voice of cycling, Phil Liggett, will lead Seven’s commentary team along with Matt Keenan. They will be joined by Australian cycling greats Robbie McEwen and Kate Bates, while James Tobin and Mark Beretta will host the coverage.
Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin said: “At Seven, we are passionate about investing in Australian and international sport, and we are thrilled to continue to partner with Visit Victoria to deliver the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race for a further three years. We were there at the beginning when the race began and can’t wait to be there again this weekend, to see what unfolds across Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road.”
With a cast of international stars set to headline the Elite Women’s Race, 2023 Tour Down Under winner Grace Brown will be determined to ensure there is a hometown victor this year.
The 176 kilometre elite men’s race is widely regarded as one of the leading classics outside of Europe and is the opening one-day race on the UCI WorldTour schedule.
Superstar cyclist Jai Hindley confirmed his start in this month’s Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. It is a symbolic race for the 26-year-old, as Hindley and Cadel are the only two Australian cyclists to make the exclusive pantheon of Grand Tour winners after Hindley claimed the pink jersey at the 2022 Giro d’Italia. Hindley will represent powerhouse Bora-Hansgrohe and returns to the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race as a more experienced and accomplished rider.
Defending champion Dries Devenyns will be looking to claim his second consecutive title with powerhouse team, Soudal Quick-Step, which is the only team to have won the modern one-day classic multiple times since its inception.
As Australian fans hope for a hometown hero, local superstars Jai Hindley, Michael Matthews and Alex Manly will lead Australia’s chances of a win on home soil across the men’s and women’s races.
Both Matthews and Manly will be riding for the Australian-based UCI WorldTour team Jayco Alula in their respective elite men’s and women’s squads.
Setting the standard as two of the fastest riders on the tour, the pair will be strong contenders at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, with the one-day classic format suiting their strengths.
As well as the live and free broadcast on 7mate, viewers can watch both races live wherever they are on 7plus and can stay up-to-date on @7Sport on Facebook and Twitter, and @7SportAU on Instagram, while 7NEWS.com.au has you covered for all Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race news.
