FAQ

All riders must complete an online safety briefing prior to receiving their rider chip by mailout or pickup.

• Those who have paid for Rider Chip Postage will receive the Online Safety Briefing Link during August.
• This paid mail out group must complete the Online Safety Briefing prior to their chip being posted, otherwise they become part of the pick-up group below.

• Those who have not paid for postage will receive the Online Safety Briefing Link 10 days from the event.
• YOU MUST complete this online briefing prior to collecting kit.

Gran Fondo Collection times are, Friday 13th September 4pm – 6pm, Saturday 14th September, 10am – 4pm, or Sunday 15th September 10th from 5:30am from the Registration Tent in the Event Village. 

Please note your timing chips will be in LORNE Friday 13th September and Saturday 14th September at the Registration Tent in the Event Village 10am – 4pm, then Apollo Bay Start Line Sunday 15th September 8am – 10:45am.

Transport loading will have check-in lists and tags. Lorne Bike and Bus Loading occurs at Lorne Hotel Mount Joy Pde.

Surf Coast Shire Family Fondo riders can collect their rider numbers from the Registration Tent in the Event Village on Friday 13th September 4pm-6pm, Saturday 14th September 10am – 4pm or on Sunday 15th from 5:30am to 9:05am.

Do not worry, we have replacement rider timing tags available to be picked up at Registration Tent in the Event Village on Friday 13th September 4pm-6pm, Saturday September 14th 10am – 4pm or on Sunday September 15th from 5:30am. 

Medio Fondo riders staying in Apollo Bay can collect their replacement rider timing tags from the start line in Apollo Bay on Sunday 15th September.

Check to see that your confirmation email has not been intercepted by your email spam filter. i.e. placed in your “Trash” of “Junk” folders

If not, log in to your Participant Dashboard or email info@o2events.com.au for assistance.

Log in to your Participant Dashboard and update your email address in your personal details.

All events: Anyone who meets the age criteria.

Gran Fondo:   16yrs as at 31 December 2024.

Medio Fondo:   12yrs as at 31 December 2024.

Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo: Anyone who is satisfied they will meet the 18km/hr minimum average speed criteria needed to complete the course within the road-closure period.

Family Fondo:   6yrs as at 31 December 2024. (Children in tag along and bike seats excepted)

Note: All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian.

Entries close Friday 13th September at 4pm!

Amy’s Gran Fondo, and Medio Fondo, riders can only enter online.

Family Fondo riders can enter in person at Registration Tent at the Event Village, Lorne on Friday 13th September 4pm-6pm, Saturday 14th September 10am-4pm and on Sunday 15th from 5:30am.

Amy’s Gran Fondo and Medio Fondo cannot enter on the day of the event and can only enter online.

Family Fondo riders can enter in person at Registration Tent in the Event Village on Friday 13th September 4pm-6pm, Saturday 14th September 10am-4pm and on Sunday 15th September from 5:30am.

130km Amy’s Gran Fondo = 16 years old

45km Medio Fondo = 12 years old

45km Amy’s Gravel Fondo = 12 years old

14km Family Fondo = 6 years old (children under 6 years old may take part in tag alongs and bike seats)

Note: All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian

Age categories are for riders attempting to qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Series or achieve a placing in their age category. Age Category riders will start youngest to oldest, with each age category having a unique colour seat post identification tag. There are 11 different age categories for both men and women at Amy’s Great Ocean Road Gran Fondo:

18-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-80
80+

Age categories are defined by the riders age on December 31st of that year. UCI Gran Fondo World Series qualifiers who move into the next age category in the following year are automatically qualified for that age category.

Age category riders are eligible for all category wins.

Recreation Category is for riders who wish to ride the course at their own pace and who do not wish to be grouped with riders by Age Category.

Recreation Category riders will start after Age Category riders, fastest to slowest according to the riding speed selected when entering.

In accordance with UCI regulations, all those that complete and receive a time on the Gran Fondo course (122km Age Group or Recreational Ride) will be merged and ranked by their age group to define the 25% of qualified riders. Please note this excludes anyone who’s bike does not meet UCI regulations (e-bikes, tandem, recumbent bikes and time trial bikes are forbidden).

No. If you do not hold a Cycling Australia race licence your entry fee includes a day licence which covers you for insurance for this event only.

All rider’s licence numbers will be verified by Cycling Australia. If your licence number is not verified you will not be permitted to start.

There will be riders of all levels competing in the event. Competitive riders are advised to select the Age Category option at registration. Recreational Riders are encouraged to select the Recreation Category at registration. Age Categories will start before Recreation Category riders.  The 10km uphill start will ensure that the field settles into groups of like ability at a safe speed. If you do not think you can meet the minimum speed and time requirements for the Gran Fondo, register for the Medio Fondo, enjoy the safety of the closed roads and build towards the longer distance next year.

You will receive your timing tag, your Age Category or in the case of Recreation Category riders your speed Identification Tag, and a redemption card enabling you to collect some great product and offers from our sponsors at the expo. Family Fondo riders receive a rider number only.

Your entry fee covers the following services: Full road closures, Police Support, Ambulance Victoria Support, Emergency Medical Services Australia Support, Mechanical Support on course and in the event village, Aid Station Food and Water, Post Ride Recovery Area Access, Timing Services, SAG Wagon Support, Online Result Service, Rider Insurance, Rider Photographs and the best cycling event in Australia.

Riders collecting their timing tags in person will receive an e-Ticket with their rider number at 5:00pm on Thursday 12th September 2024. Our registration staff can also inform you of your rider number at registration.

No – We need personal, age, medical and emergency contact details for every rider.

No, under ATO law a Tax Invoice has been issued and cannot be revoked.

It depends on the event! On each individual event page, you will find the relevant pricing.

Cycling Australia memberships provide insurance cover for events such as Amy’s Gran Fondo. The non-member price includes rider insurance.

Our self-managed system allows you to make changes or additions to your entry category, event entered, merchandise sizes, bus and bike transfers. Simply click here to access your registration and edit the available options.

Please see below the Section on Refunds from Event Terms and Conditions, accepted during event registration.

9 Refunds
9.1 You accept that there is no refund or exchange on your entry fees except as required by law and as otherwise specified by O2 Events in these terms.

9.1.1 If O2 Events cancels the Event for any reason (including but not limited to extreme weather or other dangerous conditions), then O2 Events will make every effort to ensure You receive a prompt refund or exchange if applicable in accordance with Australian Consumer Law.

9.2 If competitors are unable to compete in the Event for any reason (except disqualification), You are entitled to keep any event garment, show bag or gift bag as relevant if already received from O2 Events, but there will be no refunds for Your entry fees unless You are entitled to a refund under 9.1
and have complied with all of Your obligations under the Waiver.

9.3 There will be no refunds for any other items purchased at the time of registration, unless required by law. In regards to
charitable donations, a donation is not a purchase of goods or services from O2 Events and as such, You cannot obtain a refund for any donation once it is made. If You wish to receive a refund of Your donation, You will need to contact the relevant charity directly.

9.4 You acknowledge and agree that due to the nature of this event and the element of “luck” in the prevailing conditions, that Your entry and participation in the Event may be affected by matters outside of the control of O2 Events, including but not limited to the weather, safety and associated conditions. You accept that in such circumstances O2 Events has the right to alter the format of, shorten, or cancel the Event in the interest of competitor safety. O2 Events will use all reasonable efforts to conduct the Event in the planned format if safe to do so. Should any reason outside the control of O2 Events, including without limitation weather or other dangerous conditions, war, strike or any other act of God force any change, You accept that O2 Events will ensure You receive a prompt refund, credit, or transfer (if applicable) to another O2 Events event or to restage the Event.

9.5 Nothing in this clause is intended to exclude, modify or limit the operation of the Australian Consumer Law.

Transfer  –
If you are unable to attend the event for any reason, you are eligible to transfer your entry to another O2 Events event, provided the request is made on or before 11:59pm (AEST) Thursday 12th September 2024, and the event you wish to transfer into is still open for general entry and is within 12 months of the event. If there is an increase in entry fee, you will be required to pay the difference, if there is a reduction in entry fee this is not refundable. The Transfer is not available to you, if you have transferred or deferred into this event or entered the event through the use of an Event Credit. All transfers are final.

Withdrawal –
If you cannot participate in the event for any reason, 75% of participant entry fees is refundable. Participants must notify the organiser of their withdrawal and refund request prior to 8 September 2024 11:59pm (AEST). After the stipulated date, entry fees are non-refundable for withdrawals initiated by the participant. Requests for refunds must be notified to the organiser in writing via email at info@o2events.com.au

Where eligible, please allow up to 14 business days for your refund to be processed. The refund is automatically issued to the credit card originally used to pay for the registration. If this card has since been cancelled or has expired it is the participant’s responsibility to notify our team when requesting the eligible refund.

The following additional purchases paid for at time of entry (if any) will be refunded in addition to the entry fee: Triathlon Australia/Aus Cycling One Day Race Membership. Any other additional purchases, already paid for on your behalf by O2 Events to a third-party service provider such as merchandise or charitable donations, are not refundable.

The Participant Withdrawal Program is not available to participants who have transferred or deferred into this event, or entered the event through the use of an Event Credit.

See the Accommodation page for accommodation links and information.

For insurance and safety purposes, all riders are required to complete an online safety briefing. Non-completion will result in the rider not receiving their Timing Tags and not being allowed to start in either the Gran Fondo or Medio Fondo.

Family Fondo riders do not need to attend a safety briefing.

Your favourite and comfortable cycling kit, or you can purchase Amy’s Gran Fondo jersey when registering or from the online store. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared with a warm undershirt, Arm & Leg Warmers, Gilet, and Rain Jacket if necessary.

Riders can choose from a selection of bikes to ride in the event, including road bikes, mountain bikes, city bikes, hybrid bikes and cross bikes. E-bikes are also permitted in recreational rides.

Handbikes are permitted when required due to a disability. Tandems are only permitted for vision-impaired riders, in which case only the vision impaired rider is required to register.

The following bikes are not permitted: recumbents, bikes with tri or aero bars.

Yes, UCI regulations have authorised the use of disc brakes in mass participation road events.

Yes, Australian Law, Cycling Australia and UCI regulations all mandate the use of helmets. All riders must wear an Australian Standards Certified helmet. The certification sticker must be visible inside the helmet.

At least 15 mins prior to your event start time

7:30am start Amy’s Gran Fondo – Age category

7:50am start Amy’s Gran Fondo – Recreation category

9:30am start Family Fondo – Lorne (outside Lorne Hotel)

11:00am start Medio Fondo – Apollo Bay (Visitor Information Carpark)

Amy’s Gran Fondo Age Category riders will start in order of age group, youngest to oldest.

Recreation Category riders will be started according to the average speed selected at the time of entry, fastest to slowest.

If you enter the Age Category, unless you are all in the same age group this is not possible.

If you enter the Recreation Category or Medio Fondo you must all select the same average speed when you enter. Be accurate and enter your average speed to the slowest within your group to ensure that your safety comes first.

If you are entering the Family Fondo there is no restriction on where you start.

If you are inexperienced, enter in the Recreation Category or Medio Fondo and you will be starting with riders of similar speed and ability on a fully closed road with plenty of room for everyone. Group riding is faster as you save about 30% energy in a draft. It takes experience to get used to riding closely behind someone else’s wheel. Ideally, it would be best to practice this skill with a partner prior to the event. We advise riders to gain experience riding in groups prior to Amy’s Gran Fondo.

In order to meet the road re-opening times which are a condition of our road closure permits, riders are required to maintain an average speed of 18 km/h. Riders falling behind the average speed will have the option to get a lift in the SAG wagon to the next Aid Station or continue under open road conditions.

This phone number is to be kept clear for residents and locals and genuine traffic issues, not for participants seeking parking information.

Click here for Road Closure Information

The traffic hotline number is 0456 479 606 and will be active from 9am – 5pm on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th September and 6am to 3pm on Sunday 10th September. This number is to be used exclusively for the purpose of obtaining information about traffic in the area.

Yes! Many volunteers are needed to assist the event team in the delivery of Amy’s Gran Fondo. Volunteers are a critical part of any major event and we love having them involved. Register to Volunteer now – email info@o2events.com.au

Emergency Medical Services Australia (EMSA) and Ambulance Victoria (AV) will be on the course and on call. Marshalls and bike mechanics will be travelling on the course on motorcycles and in cars. Traffic management will be controlling traffic at intersections and volunteers will be guiding athletes for turns at intersections. All of these people are equipped with radios and can contact Event Control to organise assistance. In the event of a severe accident call 000.

Riders staying in Lorne are encouraged to ride to the start from their accommodation. Parking areas for those riders not staying in Lorne will be signed as you arrive in Lorne.

Limited parking is available on the Lorne foreshore which will be managed by the Parents and Friends of the local Lorne P-12 College.  The cost is $10 per car with all funds going directly to improvements to the school’s grounds.