Melbourne captain Max Gawn is 2023 ambassador for Tour Down Under in South Australia

The Tour Down Under has announced its ambassador for next year – and Max Gawn, Melbourne captain, seems like an odd choice. But there’s a reason.

The captain of Melbourne is an ambassador for the Tour Down Under in South Australia.

Even Max Gawn himself says he would have found it a “little bit farfetched” a couple of years ago.

But the cycling enthusiast can’t wait to attend his first Tour Down Under in January, providing he can convince Demons senior coach Simon Goodwin to give him the time off to satisfy his other sporting love.

Melbourne Demons star Max Gawn, the TDU ambassador for 2023, races. Paddy Crowe, 7. Picture Dean Martin

“Phil Liggett back in the day on SBS at 9.30pm at night, one of the only good things on SBS at 9.30pm at night … I would just watch Phil Liggett and he put me to sleep more than anyone I had known,” Gawn said.

Max Gawn alongside seven-year-old Paddy Crowe. The Melbourne captain has been announced as the Tour Down Under’s ambassador for the 2023 race. Picture Dean Martin

“So when the voice of cycling puts you to sleep it makes you addicted to the sport.

“So to be here, I don’t feel like a Melburnian in Adelaide, I feel like I’m a cycling fan to come and watch Australia’s race.

“So I’m really excited to be here and talking cycling because you can’t do too much talking about cycling in footy.

“It normally coincides with pre-season and this one will but with Goody being a mad South Australian I feel like I’ll be able to get a couple of days off.”

Gawn, who has returned from a recent trip to Europe where he tackled iconic Tour de France climbs Alpe d’Huez and Mount Ventoux, was on hand to launch the Tour Village, which will again be held in Victoria Square.

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said it would be the “largest” Tour Village.

And as for a captain of a Victorian team to be the ambassador for a race in South Australia, Gawn said: “We haven’t lost in South Australia for five years now so I think we have a bit of a home ground advantage.”

The Tour Down Under takes place from January 13-22.