QUICK GUIDE

THE TODAY: EVENTS Swisse Start: People’s Ride 7am Deakin University Elite Women’s Race Start: 7am Finish: 2.30pm Distance: 113km Forecast: 30C, partly cloudy and humid TV: Live on 7plus app TOMORROW: UCI WorldTour Elite Men’s Race Start: 11.10am Finish: 3.15pm Distance: 164km Forecast: 39C and humid TV: Live on Ch7 from 11am THE COURSE: Runs clockwise through Armstrong Creek, Barwon Heads, Bells Beach then inland through Moriac and Barrabool before a Geelong circuit PREVIOUS WINNERS: MEN Nikias Arndt (2017) Peter Kennaugh (2016) Gianni Meersman (2015) WOMEN Annemiek van Vleuten (2017) Amanda Spratt (2016) Rachel Neylan (2015) BEST PLACES TO WATCH: Challambra Cres For the first time in the race’s history, the Elite Women will tackle the challenging Challambra Cres climb, while the men will hit the hill four times this year. A big crowd and house parties make for a sensational atmosphere. Plus this could be the spot where the race is won. The Waterfront Back to where it all began, the finish – adjacent to Steampacket Gardens on Geelong’s Waterfront is a fast one. It’s also where the race starts, so you can bookend the race from this position. Barwon Heads Big crowds will gather in Barwon Heads, the hometown of Cadel Evans, where the peloton flies down the main street, likely to be trying hard to establish an early breakaway in the race. Torquay A haven for locals and a much-loved escape for Melbournians and visitors from around the world. The many families, swimmers and surfers gathering around the busy beaches in Torquay will pause to watch the colourful peloton charge into the first intermediate sprint and gather at one of the spectator cheer sites.