Deakin renews partnership with Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

The University has committed to a new three year partnership to support the increasingly popular event, which is the first in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere to gain UCI Women's WorldTour status.

Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander AO said the University was delighted to continue the partnership, which first began three years ago.

"We are passionate about supporting women to achieve their goals and that's why we support the Deakin University Elite Women's Road Race, because this event strongly aligns with our commitment to inspire women to achieve at the highest possible level in whatever they choose to do," Professor den Hollander said.

"We are also committed to supporting the communities we serve and I cannot think of a better example of how we do this than through this important event, which shows perfectly how sport and education can bring the wider community together. It is thrilling that its value has been recognised by becoming part of the UCI Women's WorldTour."

The 113-kilometre women's race in the four-day event, sees elite cyclists celebrate their athleticism passing through Barwon Heads, Torquay, Jan Juc and Moriac. The course begins and ends in Geelong, a hub of sporting culture and success that's also home to Deakin's founding campus at Waurn Ponds.

In May this year, Deakin University awarded Cadel Evans an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his commitment to promoting equity and positive social change through cycling.