Receiving the highest possible sanctioning from the world governing body Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the elite men’s and elite women’s road race have been confirmed as WorldTour events for the next three years.

The four-day festival will return next year from 26 – 29 January 2023 and will also feature curtain raiser event the Race Torquay criterium as well as other events for the public to enjoy. Cyclists of all ages can ride on the same course as their elite cycling heroes through the popular People’s Ride and Family Ride.

Since the inaugural event in 2015, which marked Cadel Evans’ final professional race, it has been broadcast in more than 140 countries and the last staging of the event in 2020 attracted more than 120,000 fans with 57 per cent of attendees travelling from outside the region.

In the event’s ongoing commitment to gender equality, the 2023-2025 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race series will continue to offer equal prizemoney for elite women and men.

Today’s announcement follows some strong performances by Australian cyclists on the world stage this year, with Jai Hindley winning the Giro d’Italia, and podium finishes for Ben O’Connor at the Criterium du Dauphine and Grace Brown at The Women’s Tour.