Tour Down Under

[dsriggs]

I remember going to Melbourne in '09 to see MASSIVE ads all over Southern Cross station for the Oakbank race meeting. 2 months after it happened.

[Ben]

This looks cool.

http://www.bikesa.asn.au/VeloAdelaide

[Ben]

Big boost to the 2014 event I would think.

Cycling experts to converge in the city

Local News20 Feb 12 @ 09:29am by Alice Higgins

More than 900 delegates from around the globe will descend on Adelaide in January 2014 for the world’s premier cycling conference.

Transport Minister Pat Conlon and Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood announced on the weekend that Adelaide had won the right to host Velo-City Global 2014 a four-day conference aimed at sharing ideas on creating and sustaining cycling friendly cities.

The conference, which will be hosted by the City Council, will pump an estimated $3.4 million into the economy and feature cycling experts, urban planners and transport specialists.

The Adelaide Convention Bureau and Bicycle SA led the submission to host Velo-City Global, with support from the State Government, City Council, the Adelaide Convention Centre, UniSA and a range of cycling-related organisations.

The European Cyclists’ Federation selected Adelaide to host the conference over a range of other cities, including Austria’s Vienna and Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro.

The 2012 conference will be held in Vancouver, Canada, this June.

Previous hosts include Copenhagen, Denmark, and Seville, Spain.

[Wayno]

Anyone have inside info on which suburbs are hosting TDU legs in 2013?

I'm upset Norwood was dropped as it's a beautiful part of metro Adelaide, showcased to the world. It's also a great place to start the community ride (10mins from the CBD - important considering the 6:30am start and the many interstate & overseas visitors in nearby CBD hotels). Read more here.

The western suburbs were again rejected (3 times in a row) - maybe too logistically complex along the suburban coast? read more here.

[Maximus]

Wayno, shouldn't be too much longer until we get the official word. The route is usually announced just before the Tour de France (which starts on 30 June).

[Maximus]

Glenelg knocked back, too:

http://guardian-messenger.whereilive.co ... n-and-out/

Mind you, it might help if they targeted their submission a bit better and went for a stage start. Stages usually start in the city, but then always finish in the country -- for logistical reasons.

[Wayno]

i'm now very interested in knowing the list of inner-suburban races for 2013. Maybe a start in Prospect & Mitcham.

A Mitcham start would be good followed by a run up the SE freeway into Mt Barker and on to Murray Bridge, or even down to Strathalbyn.

[Maximus]

Challenge Tour (on the Friday) starting in Modbury and finishing in Tanunda. Full 2013 route to be announced on Monday.

Challenge set for vintage finish
Reece Homfray
June 28, 2012 10:00PM

MODBURY is back on the Santos Tour Down Under map after 13 years.

Thousands of recreational cyclists will pedal off from Civic Park opposite Tea Tree Plaza in January for the start of the 127km Bupa Challenge ride to Tanunda. Modbury, which hosted a TDU stage finish in 2000, replaces Norwood as the start point.

TDU race director Mike Turtur said yesterday Civic Park was a perfect location to start the ride, but cyclists also had the choice of leaving from Kersbrook (92km) and Mount Pleasant (46km).

"It gives people with different abilities the opportunity to be part of it but still experience riding into Tanunda," he said.

Amateur cyclists have also been given a slight reprieve for next year's event, because the Modbury start means the king of the mountain climb at Humbug Scrub is relatively early in the 127km stage.

This year cyclists had to tackle Menglers Hill after a gruelling 107km ride.

"It's a tough climb but it comes early so it will be good for riders to negotiate it," Mr Turtur said. Riders can also "ride for a reason" to assist TDU charity partner Cancer Council SA.

For the first time, anyone who raises more than $1000 will be given free entry into the Challenge Tour. Braden O'Shea, 13, who last year raised $7000, said he was hoping to raise more than $1000. "I chose to do Ride for a Reason as my aunty last year died of cancer so I'm trying to raise funds for all families out there because most families are touched by cancer."

The full TDU route will be announced on Monday.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/challenge ... 6411582684

[Maximus]

Ooh, just found this, too. Very intrigued to find out what this new uphill stage will be. Any ideas...?

Mystery hill stage headlines Tour Down Under
Reece Homfray
June 28, 201212:38PM

THE Tour Down Under is set for another shake-up with a new uphill stage to better suit the climbers on next year's route.

Race director Mike Turtur will reveal the change next week as Australia's only WorldTour event continues its transformation from sprinters' haven to legitimate stage race.

This year saw the first hilltop finish in the Tour's 14-year-history, with riders negotiating Old Willunga Hill. The race exploded, with massive crowds witnessing a thrilling battle between Spaniard Alejandro Valverde and Australian Simon Gerrans. The introduction of Willunga Hill was enough to lure Canadian Ryder Hesjedal to the race and he went on to win the Giro d'Italia in May.

"Before it was predominantly a sprinters' race with big groups at the end," Turtur said. "What we're going to announce on Monday, we'll see a split right down the centre.

"We're going to have three days for all-rounders and climbers, and three days for the sprinters. Getting that balance right is going to make the race more of an attraction to a wider group of riders."

Turtur said organisers had been working on the new stage for years.

"We mentioned after (this year's) race that we had something in mind," he said. "What's happened is we've had expressions of interest from councils and one of those councils fitted perfectly with what we wanted to achieve. Now we're able to put in place this special stage for next year's race that we've been waiting for a number of years."

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/mor ... 6411054891

[Wayno]

Ooh, just found this, too. Very intrigued to find out what this new uphill stage will be. Any ideas...?

i predict it will be somewhere in the adelaide hills. sorry, could not resist. [exit stage left].

[Maximus]

Wayno, you were right! Corkscrew Road to make its first-ever appearance in the race -- slightly shorter than Old Willunga Hill, but quite a bit steeper. And only 7km from the finish of the stage, so should result in some time gaps. Full stage maps still to come.

Corkscrew Road to feature in Santos Tour Down Under
Reece Homfray
AdelaideNow
July 02, 201210:25AM

ADELAIDE'S feared Corkscrew Road will feature in the Santos Tour Down Under for the first time as the event celebrates its 15th birthday next year.

The route for next year's race, to be held from January 20-27, features several new developments including a fast finish at Lobethal and a grass start at Modbury.

The introduction of Corkscrew Road will favour the climbers as the race continues its transformation from sprinters' haven to a genuine stage race for all-rounders.

Riders will hit the Corkscrew Road climb - 2.4km long - on stage two from Mount Barker to Rostrevor. After the top of the climb riders face a tricky 7km descent to the finish.

"It's a climb that every national cyclist in Australia knows very well because it's been part of their training terrain here," race director Mike Turtur said.

"So I'm delighted that climb is in the race because I've been thinking of it for a long, long time.

"The important factor is three stages are for sprinters and three for all-rounders, and I think we've got that balance right for a short stage race."

FULL TOUR ROUTE:

Sunday, January 20 - People's Choice Classic, 51km, Rymill Park
Tuesday, January 22 - Stage 1 Prospect to Lobethal, 135km
Wednesday, January 23 - Stage 2 Mount Barker to Rostrevor 116.5km
Thursday, January 24 - Stage 3 Unley to Stirling 139km
Friday, January 25 - Bupa Stage 4 Modbury to Tanunda 126.5km
Saturday, January 26 - Jayco Stage 5 McLaren Vale to Old Willunga Hill, 151.5km
Sunday, January 27 - Stage 6 Elder Park Criterium, 90km

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/mor ... 6414316785

[Wayno]

excellent. Here's Corkscrew Rd for those not in the know. It was trialed back in Feb by a UNI SA event.

The Modbury race has a 'grass start'. Stoned riders?

I like the Prospect & Unley starts as well.

[Maximus]

The grass start is also for the general public riding the Challenge Tour. Could get messy...

Stage maps now up on the TDU website: http://www.tourdownunder.com.au/down-un ... es-1-6.htm

[Maximus]

Andy Schleck rumoured to be coming...

Tour de France champion Andy Schleck likely to ride at Tour Down Under in 2013
Scott Walsh
The Advertiser
November 14, 201211:30PM

THE Tour Down Under is poised to add another Tour de France champion to its entry list - but one who inherited his crown through a doping probe rather than one who was stripped of seven.

Popular rider Andy Schleck, a retrospective winner of the 2010 Tour de France, has been linked with a start at the 2013 Tour Down Under in January.

Cycling websites were buzzing last night following a L'Equipe report that the RadioShack-Nissan rider was a certainty to make his first appearance at the SA race, starting on January 20.

Race director Mike Turtur - who has keenly pursued Schleck and older brother Frank for the past two years - was last night hopeful the rumours were true, but said organisers could not be sure the 27-year-old was a definite inclusion until they received official team lists.

<continues>

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 6516727701

[ghs]

Schleck drawcard for Tour Down Under
The 2010 Tour de France winner Andy Schleck is to compete at next year's Tour Down Under in Adelaide.

The 27-year-old rider from Luxembourg missed most of this year's European cycling season due to a spinal fracture.

Schleck will use the Tour Down Under to start next season.

"I'm very excited to go South Australia," Schleck said.

"I've heard about the race from other riders many times and I'm very excited to see what it's like to race in Australia."

TDU race director Mike Turtur said Schleck's appearance would be a boost for Australian cycling after the damaging Lance Armstrong drug scandal.

"He's one of the biggest riders in the world and he's really popular with the public," he said.

"He's going to draw a lot of people from all over Australia to see him because this is the only opportunity a lot of people will get to see him as he builds towards the Tour in July."

Turtur said the 2013 race route would be a good match for Schleck's proven skills as a climber.

"The race will feature a number of challenging ascents and I'm sure all fans look forward to seeing Schleck tackle climbs such as Corkscrew Road and Old Willunga Hill.

"There will be plenty of opportunities to see Andy in action and we are particularly pleased he will be joining the Santos Tour Down Under as it celebrates its 15th anniversary."

Schleck will be part of the Radio Shack Nissan team.

The TDU will be raced from January 20-27.