top of page

The First UCI One-day WorldTour Race: Aaron Gate Wins Second Place At The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

Writer's picture: Cassie LyuCassie Lyu

Aaron Gate Wins Second Place At The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
Aaron Gate Wins Second Place At The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

Summary: New Zealand rider Aaron Gate, competing for the XDS Astana Pro Team, secured the first UCI WorldTour one-day race podium position of the season, finishing second at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race on February 2, 2025. The race is from Geelong out to the Bellarine and Barwon Heads, with Team Jayco AlUla’s Mauro Schmid taking a solo victory. Gate won the sprint among the chasing group at the finish, showcasing his strong form and significant contribution to the team in the new season. Astana team’s sports director Mark Renshaw expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance. 

 

Full Text


Aaron Gate Wins Second Place At The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
Aaron Gate Wins Second Place At The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

On February 2, 2025, New Zealand rider Aaron Gate, competing for the XDS Astana Pro Team, secured the first UCI WorldTour one-day race podium position of the season, finishing second at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. 


Aaron Gate Wins Second Place At The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
Aaron Gate Wins Second Place At The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race is an annual professional road cycling race that started in 2015 to honor Australia’s only Tour de France champion, Cadel Evans. The race starts and ends in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, and follows the scenic Great Ocean Road. 


The picture shows the historical data map of Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (photo credit: official website)
The picture shows the previous map of Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (photo credit: official website)

This year’s race started in Geelong, passing through Bellarine and Barwon Heads. From the traditional start/finish line at Steampacket Gardens, the peloton will head east to Curlewis, then turn southward past Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve – one of Victoria’s most significant wetland areas and one of the largest estuaries in the state. Flat and fast, the peloton will pass through Ocean Grove, race across the Barwon Heads Bridge and through Cadel’s home base of Barwon Heads. Hugging the picturesque Thirteenth Beach coastline – where crosswinds are expected to pick up – the race continues towards Torquay.


The picture shows the roadmap of the 2025 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (Source: official website)
The picture shows the roadmap of the 2025 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (photo credit: official website)

Aaron Gate won the sprint among the chasing group at the finish, crossing the line 3 seconds behind rider Mauro Schmid from Team Jayco AlUla’s Swiss. Schmid launched a solo attack in the final stages of the 183-kilometer race and successfully secured the victory. 

“The whole team put in a tremendous effort today to position me favorably for the final. Our plan was to get into the leading group and contest the sprint. My teammates stayed with me, helping me position well before going into the course and climbs, and everything went according to plan. Today’s heat made the race even tougher, with many riders struggling under these conditions. In the final climb, when Mauro Schmid attacked, only a few riders remained in the leading group. We couldn’t close the gap immediately, and the race turned into a tactical battle. Of course, winning would have been better, but a sprint for second place is a good result and a significant step forward for the team. During our January training camp and this period racing in Australia, I feel I’ve built up a good condition. Next, I will focus on the upcoming New Zealand National Championships and then the UAE Tour,” said Aaron Gate. 


Aaron Gate(Photo Credit:XDS Astana Team)
Aaron Gate(Photo Credit:XDS Astana Team)

Aaron Gate, born in New Zealand in 1990, gained attention after winning the overall championship at the 2024 Tour of Hainan (XDS Cup 15th Tour of Hainan International Road Cycling Race) representing the Spanish Burgos BH team. Subsequently, the Astana team signed the New Zealand rider. He also won the New Zealand Road Race and the Pan-Pacific Time Trial Championships and is considered one of the most successful riders at the professional continental level. 

Astana team’s sports director Mark Renshaw said: “Today was a great day for us. Aaron Gate is our team leader, and the entire team worked hard all day to protect him and position him favorably for the final showdown. The race was grueling under extreme heat, challenging everyone. In the final stages, Aaron managed to stay with the leading riders and became part of the leading group. From that point, the race became a tactical battle – some riders attacked, while others organized the chase. Eventually, Schmid attacked at the right moment and maintained his lead, while Aaron won the sprint from the chasing group. I believe this is the best result we could achieve today, and the whole team should be proud of this accomplishment.” 

This race is the first UCI one-day WorldTour race of the season, known for its intense competition and harsh conditions. Aaron Gate’s performance undoubtedly highlights his strong form and significant contribution to the team in the new season. 

Aaron Gate’s post-race interview: 

In the post-race interview, Aaron Gate shared his race experience, answering the following questions: 

Race official: How did the race feel today? 

Aaron Gate: “It felt very unreal. I really wanted to win today’s race and fought for the victory, but in the end, I had to take some risks. Mauro was in great form, and he deserved the victory. The entire team made selfless efforts to keep me in contention and gave their all in the final lap.” 

Race official: How hard is it to keep going?

Aaron Gate: "I thought I would be on the edge of the breakaway or try to catch up in the second group as I do in previous years, but luckily I was able to hold on. I wouldn't use the word 'comfortable' but I'm in the scrum and in the breakaway, which is a good position. Then it's about recovering as much as you can and trying to make it to the finish line."

Race Official: Do you think you can hold on to the shirt you're wearing?

Aaron Gate: "It's very competitive, as you can see, me and Lawrence Pissy and Corbin are fighting for the win, and the end of this track is a tough uphill, so it's not easy. I'm up against a lot of opponents with teammates, but the national Championships [in New Zealand on February 8] are usually unpredictable races and you just have to give it your all and see how it goes."