Cadel Evans unveils new one-day cycling classic in Australia

Cycling Australia, the Victorian government and Evans unveiled the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in Geelong, with the one-day race set to be held for the first time on February 1, 2015.

It has received preliminary UCI World Tour status - the highest in cycling - which will ensure the best professional teams will be involved in the race that will start and finish in Geelong, with the rest of the route to involve Victorian coastal towns such as Barwon Heads and Torquay.

The race, which has been modelled on the prestigious Spring Classics in Europe, will strengthen Australia's position in world cycling, as it will be held just a week after the Town Down Under - also a World Tour event - finishes in South Australia.

Evans, the 2011 Tour de France champion and 2009 World Road Race champion, was thrilled to launch the new event.

"I love this part of the world, it's beautiful country that's ideal for a one day cycling race, and it also just happens to be my home," Evans said in a statement.

"The 2010 UCI Road World Championships in Geelong highlighted just how thrilling the one-day road race format can be, and I am tremendously excited to see the race come to life and to be bringing top international cycling to Barwon Heads, Geelong and Torquay.

"I hope this race introduces more people to the sport of cycling, a sport which has given me so much joy over my life."

Evans' team BMC have already committed to the event, as have Australian outfit Orica-GreenEDGE.

An elite women's race will also be held on Saturday January 31.