Organizers of the 2020 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race have announced the return of Arlenis Sierra and Elia Viviani to the one-day race in January.

Sierra, who won solo in 2019, will once again lead his Astana teammates in the February 1 women's event, which starts and finishes in Geelong, 75 km west of Melbourne, while Viviani, after two seasons with Deceuninck-Quickstep Viviani will lead Cofidis, the new team he joined for 2020 after two seasons with Deceuninck Quickstep.

"I'm really looking forward to getting back to Geelong," he said. It's a nice track to ride the bike after training and relax by the sea, and there's a great atmosphere throughout the week."

"It's the perfect race for me," continued the European road race champion, who won last year wearing the colors of the Italian champion.

"It's hard, but not super hard, and the group sprints are right up my alley. He controlled the race from the start, contained every move, and did the best lead-out for me at the end.

Viviani won the race in 2019 ahead of local favorite Caleb Yuan (Lotto Soudal), but expect a tough challenge from this Australian sprinter again in Geelong early next year.

"Caleb was the best sprinter in this year's Tour de France," said Soudal. 'We've met many times since January and each time it was a sprint to the finish. He is still young, but he is already one of the best sprinters in the world. The battle will continue next January, but it was also a pleasure to meet him on the track on Six Day in London."

Viviani said he is looking forward to working with his teammates in Cofidis and has full confidence that he and his new team will be in the mix next year in the sprints of the biggest events.

"They've stepped up to the World Tour level [for 2020]. Cofidis has a long history in cycling and the prestige of the team gives them the confidence they need to sign on for the next two years.

"My first goal for next year is to find my groove with my new team and start the season in the best way possible. That means coming back to Europe after a month in Australia with at least one or two wins," Viviani said, adding that he hopes to win the opening stage in 2019 and compete in the Tour in Adelaide, which ends the week before the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race He also hinted at the possibility of competing again in the Tour Down Under, which ends the week before the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.