A who’s who of the world’s top cycling teams have been confirmed to ride in the inaugural Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

Six of the world’s top ProTour teams are confirmed, with IAM Cycling, Trek Factory Racing, Etixx – Quick-Step and Team Katusha joining BMC Racing Team and Orica GreenEDGE in the race, promising a thrilling weekend for cycling fans.

“I am delighted with the news that some of the world’s best cycling teams are set to ride in the inaugural Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race,” said Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events, the Honourable John Eren MP.

“These teams are the cream of the crop, competing in prestigious events such as the Tour de France and Paris-Roubaix. It will be a great honour to see them ride against Australia’s best in our own beautiful backyard – Geelong and the Surf Coast region.”

In addition to Evans, Swiss-based BMC Racing Team has confirmed Tasmanian Under 23 Time Trial Champion Campbell Flakemore will ride in what will be only his third professional race.

Flakemore said he is looking forward to the challenge of the ride in Geelong.

“It will be very exciting. I’ve never raced with Cadel, so I don’t really know what to expect. It will also be good to do another professional level race in Australia.”

BMC Racing Team Sports Director Fabio Baldato said the team has one goal in mind.

“For sure it’s to celebrate Cadel’s great career. I know that any time Cadel has a number on his back, he wants to win. I have been with Cadel for almost the last three years and I would also like to be there for his last win. A nice one at home on his last race.”

Etixx – Quick-Step’s Mark Renshaw anticipates the course will provide a great challenge.

“I think the circuit will be pretty difficult.  The World Championships course was similar a few years ago where a sprinter won, but I think it will be a little different for this race as they changed things a little bit to make it more difficult.

“I think as we go along the coastline, south of Geelong, there will be a chance that the crosswind changes the race and I think everyone is also forgetting that it isn’t flat along the coastline either. There are a lot of up and downs.”

Orica GreenEDGE’s Simon Clarke has confirmed he will be on the road to farewell close friend Evans on Sunday 1 February.

“It will be an honour to share the road with Cadel for the last time. Cadel and I have raced together and trained together for years and it promises to be an emotional last ride,” Clarke said.

Evans said that Australian riders are becoming increasingly prominent on the international cycling stage.

“It’s a really exciting time for Australian cycling. We have such great established riders as well as some really talented up and comers,” Evans said.

“February will see some of the best international cyclists riding against Australians on one of our most beautiful stretches of road. It doesn’t get much more exciting for an Aussie than that.”

Further team announcements for the Elite Men’s Road Race will be made in the coming weeks.

The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race also features an Elite Women’s Road Race, part of Cycling Australia’s National Road Series, and will see Australia’s best female cyclists take on a challenging course on Saturday 31 January 2015.

Cyclists of all ages and abilities are encouraged to secure a spot in the Momentum Energy People’s Ride, which travels through some of Victoria’s most iconic and beautiful areas on Saturday 31 January 2015. Limited places are still available for both the 111km and 65km courses.

Confirmed riders in the Elite Men’s Road Race:

BMC Racing Team

Cadel Evans
Campbell Flakemore
Michael Schär
Peter Stetina
Danilo Wyss
Silvan Dillier

Team Katusha

Maxim Belkov
Giampaolo Caruso
Vladimir Isaychev
Sergei Lagutin
Rudiger Selig
Alexey Tsatevich

Etixx – Quick-Step

Mark Renshaw
Gianni Meersman
David de la Cruz
Yves Lampaert
Maxime Bouet
Pieter Serry

IAM Cycling

Stef Clement
Martin Elmiger
Heinrich Haussler
Jarlinson Pantano
Vicente Reynes
David Tanner

Trek Factory Racing

Eugenio Alafaci
Laurent Didier
Hayden Roulston
Jesse Sergent
Calvin Watson