Seven backs developing women’s cycling event

Australian commercial broadcaster Seven has agreed a rights deal for domestic cycling event the Deakin Elite Women’s Road Race.

Run as part of the men’s Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race event, the women’s competition will stage its second edition on January 28, with Seven broadcasting two hours of live coverage. The Women’s Road Race will also receive live streaming via the Plus 7 Live App platform.

The event will mark the first time an Australian women’s cycling race will be broadcast live since the International Cycling Union’s (UCI) Road World Championships were staged in Geelong in 2010.

The UCI has also granted the Women’s Road Race a 1.2 classification for next year and the global governing body has said its increasing prominence could lead to a place on the elite WorldTour calendar.

“We are looking for a truly global WorldTour, and frankly this event ticks the boxes for a future ascension to WorldTour status, should it so desire to apply,” Tracey Gaudry, UCI vice-president, president of the UCI Women’s Commission and UCI Oceania president told the Ella CyclingTips website.

“With the number of international teams that are already secured, with the live broadcast and what we know is a world class, quality event … it has all of the ingredients for a Women’s WorldTour race as a one day classic at the start of the year.”