Nikias Arndt and Annemiek van Vleuten have confirmed they will both defend their titles at the 2018 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in January.
Arndt helped Australian Sunweb team-mate Michael Matthews claim the Tour de France green jersey this year, having started his season with a bang in the CEGORR.
“It’s very physical, it’s a hard race, it’s the perfect race. I’m training hard already, preparing well and looking forward to getting the chance to defend it,” he said.
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Van Vleuten returns to Australia as world champion, having won time trial gold in Norway in September.
The Orica-Scott rider claimed CEGORR glory back in January when she beat Ruth Winder and Mayuko Hagiwara in a thrilling sprint finish.
Minister for Tourism and Major Events, John Eren, said the calibre of international riders starting their season in Australia, including at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, was a win for cycling and the Geelong region.
“We now have races of the highest international classification for both men and women’s cycling, which means we have the best of the best coming to the state – and importantly it showcases the region to the world,” he said.
Race Director Scott Sunderland also announced updates to the men’s and women’s road race courses – which already take in spectacular scenery around Barwon Heads, Torquay and Geelong.
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“We will see the 2018 Elite Men tackle the iconic climb, Challambra Crescent, a fourth time,” he said. “While it will be the first time in the event’s history that the women race over Challambra Crescent.
“This is going to be an incredible viewing opportunity for spectators as they get to see the riders up close on the hardest climb. There’s no hiding on Challambra – and that’s what’s great about it. It just makes everyone give that extra few per cent.”
After the Challambra challenge the riders will have just nine kilometres remaining before the sprint to the finish line in front of huge crowds at Geelong Waterfront.