Bell Street trader Alison Muscroft hopes the inaugural Towards Zero Race Torquay on 30 January will hit the ground running.
Ms Muscroft – the owner of The Happy Runner Torquay – is excited to have an ideal viewing spot for Race Torquay, the official precursor to the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
“I feel like it will put Torquay on the map globally as a place to visit, ride bikes, train for events and start one’s journey down the Great Ocean Road,” she said, before encouraging people to line Bell Street to watch the world-class cyclists loop around the course multiple times.
“Bell Street has many great places to eat, drink and be merry, so there will be plenty of vantage points to catch the action. And of course while you’re there we’d love to welcome you into The Happy Runner Torquay for all your running needs.”
Towards Zero Race Torquay is a 13km circuit, with the women to complete eight laps while the men will complete 10. Heading in a clockwise direction, the course starts on The Esplanade near the Price Street intersection and takes in Bell Street, Great Ocean Road, Duffields and Messmate Roads, before heading back via South Beach Road, Horseshoe Bend Road and The Esplanade.
As well as the race action, there will be an afternoon and evening of entertainment. People can soak up Bell Street, and also visit the Event Village on the foreshore area near The Esplanade-Price Street intersection to enjoy delicious food stalls and boutique bars, music and kids’ activities.
Ms Muscroft said Race Torquay would be a great curtain-raiser for the respective elite women’s and men’s road races on Saturday 1 February and Sunday 2 February.
“Bell Street is a very exciting place to be for the road races over the weekend. The anticipation is always super exciting as you can watch the live broadcast, spot the helicopters in the distance, and see the motorbikes arriving to block intersections. It all signals that the riders are close to coming through.
“When the race finally arrives, you are literally metres away from the best bike riders in the world.”
Rolling road closures will apply during the elite women’s and men’s races. As the rolling road closure passes through, short delays may be experienced. With Towards Zero Race Torquay held on a circuit course over multiple laps, more road closures and detours are in place to ensure the event can run safely.
