Almost 100,000 fans line the streets for start of Tour Down Under 2019
They came from all corners of the globe, some escaping the winter snow, to watch cycling’s elite tackle unbearably hot and gruelling conditions in the first stage of the Tour Down Under.
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They came from all corners of the globe, some escaping the winter snow, to watch cycling’s elite tackle unbearably hot and gruelling conditions in the first stage of the Tour Down Under.
But despite the sweltering heat on Tuesday, almost 100,000 people lined the streets of Adelaide and a tad cooler Hills region to cheer on the road warriors. With the mercury tipped to top 40C at today’s Norwood start and 43C at the Barossa Valley finish, organisers have again cut the route length after consulting teams and riders.
Race director Mike Turtur last night announced the 132.4km stage would be reduced by 26.9km because of the “extreme heat”.
Riders are due to finish the 122.1km stage at Angaston at about 2.22pm.
TDU organisers praised the estimated 92,000 people who braved the elements to watch the 129km Stage 1 race, which started from North Adelaide for the first time since 2000.
Officials reported the riders – ordered to keep fluids up – avoided medical problems.
They were allowed access to extra food and drink earlier than normal during the race.
Mr Turtur was glowing in his praise for the “big” crowds making it a “ripper day” for the riders. “There were a lot of people still out in the heat supporting the riders, so it was terrific. It just shows the public really appreciate the event,” he said.
“The riders certainly appreciate it, we as organisers appreciate it as we know how difficult it is, especially with kids. I think that shows the strength of the event.”
In contrast, 45,518 people attended the tennis Australian Open in Melbourne.
At the 11am O’Connell St start was London expat nurse Lizzie Dodd, 54, who couldn’t have been happier about the temperature.
“I love the hot weather, I can’t get enough of it,” said Ms Dodd, who moved to North Adelaide in 2005. “I have got me hat, got me sunnies and got me water, so we’re good.”
Amateur cyclists and families used up every shady spot as the peloton snaked its way through the northern suburbs before tackling an arduous climb in the Adelaide Hills, passing One Tree Hill, Houghton, Inglewood and Paracombe.
Setting up shop selling icy- poles outside their new Paracombe home were entrepreneur siblings Bridget Custance, 14, and 10-year-old Elliot with friend Rebecca Le Leu, 13, and “Gary the goat”.
“They had fun and made about $20 profit,” said their teacher mum Diana Custance, 46. Enjoying the action near Houghton was a group of cycling friends who watch races around the world, including the Tour de France. Among them was Swedish research scientist Asa Burkert, 53, who travelled from her Sydney home. “Yes, it’s hot but we just love it,” she said.
Down the road at the Inglewood Inn, crowds nursing ice-cold drinks cheered riders as they rode past three times.
“We have been bagging ice for two weeks,” manager Emma Pisani, 38, said. “They said it was going to be 41C but it is just 38C – those three degrees make the difference.”
At the Port Adelaide finish, Canadian tourist Eloise Moffet, 26, compared the outside 41.7C with -7C in Montreal.
“I don’t know how these guys do it,” she said.
Tourism Minister David Ridgway said the turnout proved “it is a great event”.
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