This September 15 & 16, Victoria’s Great Ocean Road will again be home to Wiggle Amy’s Gran Fondo cycling festival.

Wiggle Amy’s Gran Fondo weekend of cycling will host a field of around 4,500 cyclists in the eighth edition of this unique cycling experience, supporting safe cycling and the Amy Gillett Foundation.

Cycling on a fully-closed Great Ocean Road is only possible on this one day in September, when cyclists are treated to these spectacular surroundings free from traffic.

We’re excited that this year the Cyclist National Gravel Championships have been added to the Surf Coast Shire Gravel Fondo, bringing another dimension to this popular event.  With the Surf Coast Shire as the event sponsor, our Gravel Fondo is now being run on the Saturday morning, just out of Lorne through the unforgettable Otway Ranges.

We’re delighted to have the support of our wonderful signature event sponsors again this year: Wiggle, TAC, Surf Coast Shire and the Victorian Government through the Regional Events Fund.

The Regional Events Fund helps sporting, community and event organisations to deliver significant sporting events in Victoria.

Victorian Minister for Sport, the Hon. John Eren, said Wiggle Amy’s Gran Fondo plays an important role in teaching Victorians about bike safety.

“The Victorian Government is proud to be supporting such a worthy cause. All Victorians should have a better understanding of cycling safety, and Wiggle Amy’s Gran Fondo is playing a key role,” said Minister Eren.

“The Great Ocean Road is one of the best cycling routes in the world, so what better way to get fit, make friends, see the wonderful sights and do your bit to support such a worthy cause.”

Wiggle Amy’s Gran Fondo is a proven economic stimulus to the Colac Otway and Surf Coast region, and also attracts a large number of participants from interstate and overseas an average of thirty percent of entries from outside Victoria.

Surf Coast Shire Council Mayor David Bell said Wiggle Amy’s Gran Fondo was a rare opportunity for cyclists to experience the magnificent Great Ocean Road in freedom and safety.

“Last year’s Amy’s Gran Fondo delivered an estimated economic benefit of more than $21.8 million to the region,” said Cr Bell.

“The event attracts some 4,500 participants and does much to highlight the Great Ocean Road and associated townships as a visitor destination. These participants fill our accommodation and cafes over this weekend.”

CEO of the Amy Gillett Foundation, Phoebe Dunn, said Wiggle Amy’s Gran Fondo is a fantastic showcase of safe cycling in Australia.

“The Amy Gillett Foundation is Australia’s leading bike rider safety organisation, and it’s wonderful to have the support again of the Victorian Government and the Surf Coast Shire Council for our eighth edition,” said Dunn.

“Wiggle Amy’s Gran Fondo is pivotal to the work of the Amy Gillett Foundation, and provides a significant platform through which the Foundation can raise awareness and act as a catalyst for behaviour change on our roads.”

This year, as a mark of respect and to highlight the tragic situation on our roads, we are holding a memorial on Saturday at 2.00pm to remember fellow cyclists who have lost their lives on the road this year, and before the racing starts, the elite NRS cyclists will conduct a neutral commemorative lap of the Criterium course in Lorne.

 

EVENT SCHEDULE

 

SATURDAY

9:00am  Surf Coast Shire Gravel Fondo incorporating the Cyclist Gravel National Championships

2:00pm  Memorial Ceremony to remember those we have lost on Australian roads this year (main stage, event village)

2:45pm  Commemorative Lap – NRS cyclists to ride a neutral commemorative lap of the Criterium course in memory of cyclists who have lost their lives on our roads

3:00pm Amy’s Otway Tour Criterium, NRS Women, main street Lorne

4:15pm  Amy’s Otway Tour Criterium, NRS Men main street Lorne

5:45pm  Amy’s Wall, powered by Ford –  hill sprints on the imposing 110m 22% Bay St Hill

 

SUNDAY

7:20am Amy’s Otway Tour Road Race Start – Women

8:15am Amy’s Otway Tour Road Race Start – Men

8:30am Wiggle Amy’s Gran Fondo 120km Age Group Start

8:50am Wiggle Amy’s Gran Fondo 120km Recreational Start Recreational

9:00am TAC Amy’s Family Fondo 14km Start

11.00am TAC Amy’s Medio Fondo 45km Apollo Bay