Who Will Conquer Challambra? Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race Heats Up!

Who Will Conquer Challambra Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race Heats Up

Who Will Conquer Challambra? Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race Heats Up!

This weekend, all eyes are on the Surf Coast of Victoria as the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race celebrates its 10th anniversary for the men and its 8th edition for the women. The stakes are high—not just for early-season glory, but also for a crucial 300 UCI points haul. With the race’s challenging circuit, aggressive riders and powerful sprinters alike are gearing up for what promises to be an intense battle.

One of the biggest talking points? The infamous Challambra Crescent climb , a short but punchy ascent that has often been the deciding factor in both the men’s and women’s races. The women will take on the climb twice, while the men will face it four times, making it the perfect launchpad for race-winning attacks. With past victories coming from both all-rounders and opportunistic sprinters, the unpredictability of this course keeps fans on the edge of their seats.

Women’s Contenders: Can Noemi Rüegg Keep Her Winning Streak?

The women’s race kicks off on Saturday, and all eyes are on Noemi Rüegg (EF Education-Oatly) after her dominant performance at the Tour Down Under. She’s shown she can handle both climbs and fast finishes, making her a prime contender. But competition will be fierce— Silke Smulders (Liv-AlUla-Jayco) is another strong challenger, having come second overall at the Tour Down Under.

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Then there’s Chloé Dygert (Canyon-SRAM) , a powerhouse with a stage win already this season, and Elise Chabbey (FDJ-SUEZ) , who could take advantage of the hilly terrain. Last year’s runner-up Dominika WÅ‚odarczyk (UAE Team ADQ) will also be looking to improve on her result, especially with last year’s winner Rosita Reijnhout absent from the race. With multiple one-day races in Australia producing different winners so far, this race is wide open.

Men’s Race: Will Laurence Pithie Go Back-to-Back?

On Sunday, the men take center stage, and defending champion Laurence Pithie (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) has a target on his back. Last year, he shocked the field with a perfectly timed sprint, but this year, everyone knows his strengths. His team is stacked with talent, including Australian sprinting sensation Sam Welsford , who has been on fire with multiple wins this season.

Corbin Strong (Israel-Premier Tech) is another rider to watch—he’s come close to the podium in past editions and is determined to move up the rankings. Then there’s Oscar Onley (Team Picnic PostNL) , who suffered a crash last year but has shown incredible form at the Tour Down Under. If Challambra shakes up the race, a climber like Luke Plapp (Jayco-AlUla) could also capitalize, while Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) remains a wildcard if the race ends in a reduced sprint.

The Key Factor: Attacks or a Sprint Finish?

The big question is whether the climbs will be selective enough to break up the race, or if the final kilometers will see a reduced bunch sprint. The history of the event suggests we could see both scenarios play out—aggressive riders looking to break away on Challambra, while the sprinters hang on for a fast finish.

With the strongest teams in the mix and unpredictable race dynamics, the 2025 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race is set to be a thriller. Who will take advantage of the brutal yet beautiful course and write their name into history? We’ll find out this weekend!

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