The Seven Network will "broadcast live from the women’s event at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race," according to Simone Giuliani of CYCLING TIPS. Fans will get their "first chance in more than six years to see a women’s cycling race in Australia televised in real time." The race, called the Deakin University Elite Women’s Race, made the step from being a domestic level race in its first year to gaining an Int'l Cycling Union (UCI) ranking this year. The next step forward in the TV coverage of the Jan. 28 event "will make it the first women’s cycling event in Australia to be covered live" since the Road World Championships were held in Geelong in '10. UCI VP Tracey Gaudry, who is also president of the UCI Women’s Commission and UCI Oceania, said, "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." Women's races have previously "only received small amounts" of delayed TV coverage and have not in the past "been as laden" with top-level int'l riders. However, the level of interest from int'l teams "has also taken a step up" for '17 with the live broadcast and live streaming another factor adding to the appeal (CYCLING TIPS, 11/22).
