![\"CDC](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img-6878-1200x899.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
CDC founder and CEO Greg Boorer with Canberra road race cyclists Hayden Stevens and Lauren Bates at the launch of PSL\u2019s CDC Tour of Canberra. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.<\/p>\n
Australia\u2019s elite road cycling league is locked in to return to Canberra for at least the next three years, and whoever wins stands a strong chance of becoming an Olympian.<\/p>\n
It will literally be pedal to the metal for the Hertz ProVelo Super League\u2019s (PSL) return from 26 to 28 February 2027, with the event to be known as the CDC Tour of Canberra.<\/p>\n
CDC Data Centres founder and CEO Greg Boorer was once a competitive cyclist himself, and he used to come to Canberra every year as a teen to ride what was then known as the Milk Race (as it was sponsored by Canberra Milk).<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the opportunity came along to breathe some life back into an absolutely iconic race, I didn\u2019t need too much convincing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe opportunity to do something for the community here, and in a place that absolutely loves cycling \u2026 and to actually have kids being able to see the best cyclists in Australia, and increasingly from around the world, in their backyard [is incredible].<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a very, very small way of giving back to cycling, but also hopefully inspiring the next generation of Michael Rogers and Michael Matthews and Stephen Hodge to come out of Canberra.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The CDC Tour of Canberra features a four-stage program over three days: an individual time trial at Black Mountain, a twilight street criterium in Canberra City, a circuit road race around the National Triangle, and a queen-stage road race at Stromlo Forest Park.<\/p>\n
Former Olympic road cyclist Stephen Hodge first got noticed when he completed the original Canberra tours, and the last race led to his selection for the 1996 Atlanta Games.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you can make it in the Tour of Canberra, you\u2019ve got real potential, and that\u2019s what people overseas notice,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone who\u2019s winning the Canberra Tour \u2026 next year could well be in the Olympics.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hertz ProVelo Super League co-founder Matt Wilson is involved in designing the course for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics road races (to be held on the Sunshine Coast).<\/p>\n
He said bringing the event to Canberra was front of mind when he and Aaron Flanagan started the ProVelo Super League in 2025.<\/p>\n
\u201cI come from a professional cycling background so I, like every other young Australian cyclist, rode the Tour of Canberra and there\u2019s just something hard about racing on these roads \u2026 the cream always came to the top,\u201d Mr Wilson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just such a beautiful area to ride, and it\u2019s just got such a strong club foundation.\u201d<\/p>\n
The final courses haven\u2019t been finalised as there\u2019s still some red tape and logistics to be sorted out, but they won\u2019t be the same routes as during the Milk Race between 1989 and 1997.<\/p>\n
But Mr Flanagan said the CDC Tour of Canberra would \u201cset the bar\u201d for the PSL\u2019s other rounds on the calendar.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to bring road cycling back to the communities \u2013 we\u2019re about building a sports entertainment product, big screens, DJs, exciting racing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the moment we launched the ProVelo Super League, there\u2019s been this consistent and growing appetite to see elite road cycling return to Canberra.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Matt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img-6910-1200x900.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Hands Across Canberra CEO Genevieve Jacobs (centre) with Hertz ProVelo Super League founders Matt Wilson and Aaron Flanagan. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.<\/p>\n
Other items on the tour agenda include community bike rides and possibly incorporating Canberra\u2019s Enlighten Festival into the program.<\/p>\n
The tour will be broadcast live on SBS for 2027 and is expected to go global from 2028.<\/p>\n
Mr Flanagan said he was also excited to showcase Canberra to the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople watch the Tour de France just because they can enjoy the scenery,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what we intend on doing with the Tour of Canberra \u2026 the way we\u2019re going to be able to showcase this city to Australia and to the rest of the world is going to be amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a stroke of fortuitous timing, the Tour of Canberra aligns with Hands Across Canberra\u2019s big yearly fundraiser, the Canberra Day Appeal.<\/p>\n
Hands Across Canberra is the event\u2019s official charity partner for three years.<\/p>\n
CEO Genevieve Jacobs said the timing couldn\u2019t have been better.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the things that we want to do with the Canberra Day Appeal is reach a really broad audience of people \u2026 [as we all] set the course for how we want to live this next year in Canberra together,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe partnership is a great opportunity to bring together the community, sport and business, while celebrating a wonderful Canberra pastime and doing good things together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Plus, it\u2019s a chance for the next generation of Canberra cyclists to make their mark.<\/p>\n
With the 2032 Brisbane Olympics just around the corner, it may be a chance to see history in the making.<\/p>\n