The 2018 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race held in late January attracted over 100,000 people lining the streets of Geelong, Barwon Heads, Torquay and around the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

Mapei was involved as an official partner for event once again and welcomed over 500 customers to its VIP hospitality venue which was positioned in front of the start/finish line and overlooking Corio Bay.

The company’s connection with cycling began in 1993 when it sponsored and developed a team that was UCI ranked No. 1 eight times in its 10 year history. (The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the world governing body for sports cycling and oversees international competitive cycling events.)

Cadel Evans joined the Mapei team in 2002 and continued to train at the Mapei Sports Centre in Italy under sports professor Aldo Sassi who helped Cadel make the transition from mountain biker to grand tourer. After Sassi’s death in 2010, Cadel continued training under the eye of Aldo’s protégé, Andrea Morelli. After winning the Tour de France in 2011, Evans dedicated his victory to Sassi.

Mapei continues its sponsorship of major cycling events including the UCI Road World Championships which is held in a different country each year. Mapei Australia hosted this event in Geelong when it came to Australia for the first time in 2010.