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You ’ ve seen the footage : crowds lining steep mountain roads , charming villages that welcome the world ’ s best riders each year . If you ’ re a fan of the sport you will have stayed up late , tomorrow ’ s bleary eyes a small price to pay for tonight ’ s contest . Maybe you have a European holiday in mind , one that includes time at the continent ’ s iconic cycling events . Sometimes , though , the best experiences are found closest to home . So it is at the Santos Tour Down Under , Australia ’ s premier cycling race : a welcoming , nine-day festival beloved both by elite riders and those who come to watch them compete . This is our nation ’ s answer to the Tour de France — the same passionate fans , the same gripping racing , but with a distinctly South Australian flavour .
“ One of the main assets our event has is the state itself ,” says race director Mike Turtur . “ South Australia is friendly , accessible and very appealing to visitors , and we have the advantage of beautiful regions within easy reach of Adelaide .”
In 2017 the six-stage Santos Tour Down Under will travel through the Barossa , Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula before a final city showdown . Its route takes in many of the attractions South Australia is loved for : world-class vineyards and cellar doors ; acclaimed eateries , rolling hills , historic towns and sparkling coastline . Best of all , regional stages are no more than 90 minutes from the capital . Fans can make easy journeys to the start line by car or bus , with the more energetic encouraged to travel by bike . Some 795,000 people enjoyed the 2016 Santos Tour Down Under , a figure that includes visitors from across the globe .
“ We ’ re very proud that the Santos Tour Down Under invites people to be part of the action ,” Turtur says . “ Not only do you watch the best riders , you can really immerse yourself in cycling by joining events like the Bupa Challenge Tour .”
There ’ s a full calendar of activities surrounding the Santos Tour Down Under , with many offered by the city and regional councils hosting stage starts and finishes . Fans flock to street parties , relax over long lunches and hop into the saddle themselves for the Bupa Challenge Tour , a participation event that sees around 6,000 amateur cyclists tackle a full or part race stage hours before the professionals take to the route . The Norton Summit Time Trial , Bupa Family Ride and Bupa mini tour for kids are among other ride options , while the Legends ’ Night Dinner features cycling royalty .
Turtur , an Olympic gold medallist who ’ s been race director since the Santos Tour Down Under began in 1999 , says the event is an important one in the international cycling season .
“ It opens the International Cycling Union calendar , status that means we see the best riders and teams compete ,” he says . “ Everyone is out to impress — they love leaving the cold of Europe behind and being here where it ’ s warm . But they know it ’ s no holiday , and with our race offering a mix of sprints and climbs it ’ s always interesting to see who prevails .”
The pros might not be taking it easy , but fans certainly are . Whether it ’ s on the to-do list or you simply want an excuse to visit SA , the Santos Tour Down Under is for you .
The 2017 Santos Tour Down Under will travel through 73 towns in metropolitan and regional South Australia .
For further information visit www . tourdownunder . com . au
32 touring australia magazine • summer 2017