For international riders, the inaugural Towards Zero Race Torquay will be a postcard that’s come to life – says leading cycling commentator Matt Keenan.
The Thursday 30 January event will be the official prelude to the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race weekend, with Keenan predicting the world-class peloton will be thrilled to be in Torquay.
“For the internationals, it’s going to be great to have the chance to base themselves on the Surf Coast for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. They know about the surf culture because they’ve all been on plane rides and watched Australian surfing documentaries – most of which mention Torquay and Bells Beach.
“They know about the Surf Coast lifestyle and this is going to be the one race that really demonstrates it. It’s like they’re racing in an Australian postcard.”
Towards Zero Race Torquay is a 13km circuit which 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. The women will complete eight laps of the course while the men will complete 10.
Keenan – a prominent broadcaster who lends his voice to the world’s biggest cycling events – plans to ride the Torquay course the week of the race.
