As it has been officially announced in late September, Cadel Evans will ride the UCI 1.1 category Great Ocean Road Race in front of home crowds as his final appearance as professional cyclist. The Australian veteran attended the unveiling of the race route in Melbourne on Wednesday, pleased about a prospect of competing on his favourite riding routes in his farewell event.  

The Great Ocean Road Race will be held on February 1, with two WorldTour outfits as BMC Racing and Orica-GreenEDGE expected to participate.

"The course was designed along some of my favourite riding routes, in a region that is very special to me," Evans said at the unveiling of the parcours. "It is an honour to welcome not only my fellow professional cyclists but also recreational cyclists and spectators to share the breathtaking scenery of one of my favourite roads in the world." 

Evans played an active role in designing the route of the event, along with former professional Scott Sunderland. As the latter explains, their idea was to create a course which will be challenging enough for riders and exposing a breathtaking beauty of the region in the same time.

"We have created a unique course that pays homage to the Great Ocean Road's breathtaking views, while ensuring riders are challenged by multiple climbs and varying elevation gains," said Sunderland.

The 174km race, inspired by the spring classics, will pass Evans' Australian home-base of Barwon Heads before taking in Thirteenth Beach, Torquay and Bells Beach with the finish on Geelong's waterfront expected to be decided in a bunch sprint.