Sport
6 February, 2026
Juniors on world stage
THREE junior Camperdown cyclists had the experience of a lifetime last weekend when they were invited to be a part of a ‘lead out group’ for the Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road race.
The club was nominated within the Barwon South West regional Aus cycling network to supply junior club members to be ‘lead out’ riders for the big event.
Lead out riders have been a feature of this UCI World Tour event for several years and ride alongside Cadel Evans, a former Australian Olympian and winner of the Tour De France, before the elite men’s road race begins.
Camperdown’s Bentley Currell, Rieley Dempsey and Nathaniel Bouchier had the honour of being a part of the lead out group, which enjoyed a slow 400 metre ride along the Geelong foreshore in front of crowds and media last Sunday.
The trio was joined by three riders from the Caulfield and Brunswick cycling clubs and also had the chance to meet Cadel Evans before heading to the start line.
“We were all extremely proud and excited for the club to be nominated on this large cycling stage,” Camperdown Cycling Club junior coordinator, Jocelyn Clark, said.
“Our club has a rich cycling history, with many successful riders starting their love of cycling here in Camperdown.
“Our junior program helps foster a love for the sport, focusing on the individual, goal setting and creating personal best achievements through fun and a love for exercise.
“It would be fantastic to one day have a rider from our junior leadership team racing in this race soon, but for now moments like this creates dreams with young athletes who are the future of sport.”
The riders were fitted into their lead out tops and chatted and posed for photos with Cadel Evans.
Cadel spoke to the riders about what to expect with media and the lead out positions the junior cyclists would hold while riding in front of the world class cycling peloton.
“Evans encouraged them all to have fun and enjoy the moment, and they were all presented with special tops which were signed as a memento of the day,” Jocelyn said.
The Camperdown Cycling team also spent time walking around the Geelong foreshore event village where they watched international riders be introduced to the large crowds and sign in for the world-class race.
The lead-out group also spent time chatting with gold medalist and former world number one cycling champion Grace Brown.
Photos were also taken with AFL star Max Gawn and Australian UCI world cyclist Luke Plapp.
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