Organisers cancel Tour Down Under 2021 but race director Stuart O’Grady says it will be back
The Tour Down Under is just “on pause” and hasn’t gone for good, says race director Stuart O’Grady, after news it has been cancelled for 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Tour Down Under has been cancelled for 2021 – another victim of the coronavirus pandemic.
Organisers Sunday night announced that the most popular bike race in the southern hemisphere, which this year pumped more than $66m into the economy, will not be held this summer.
Tour Down Under race director Stuart O’Grady said he was disappointed but the health and safety of South Australians and the cycling fraternity must be prioritised.
“I believe that for one year we can put delivering an international event aside, and keep our South Australian heart beating by delivering a new, re-imagined event for cyclists and for communities across the nation,” he said.
This morning he said he was confident the TDU would be back.
“This event isn’t going anywhere, the teams love it. It is one of the best races in the world and it’s something that’s certainly not going away, it’s just on pause,” Mr O’Grady told ABC Radio Adelaide.
Mr O’Grady said that when the TDU did return, it would stay in South Australia “100 per cent”.
“Adelaide is very unique. I’ve got my cycling hat on here, but when I used to go back to Europe and talk about the Tour Down Under, a lot of the guys, it was their favourite race. They loved it,” Mr O’Grady said.
“The fact they are in the city, in the heart of the city for over two weeks. They hop on the tram, they can go to the beach, the mechanics are in the village. It’s got a real unique feel about it and you could not replace this anywhere in the country, let alone the world.”
Events South Australia executive director Hitaf Rasheed said the main reason for cancelling the TDU had been the logistics of bringing international teams to Australia amid a pandemic.
“The Santos Tour Down Under is a much-loved event on the world cycling and Australian sporting calendars and we know how important this event is to the people of South Australia,”
“We have done all we can to consider how we can deliver it, but unfortunately in the end it was the international component, with over 400 people that make up the international teams, that proved to be the most difficult to overcome.”
The 2020 Tour Down Under attracted 779,362 spectators, while 44,801 event-specific visitors travelled to SA from interstate and overseas.
The race was launched in 1999 – the same year as the Adelaide 500, which also has been cancelled.
Ms Rasheed said organisers had worked with stakeholders, SA Health and SA Police to bring the international event to South Australia.
“However, the complexities and risks involved with quarantining and international border closures have ultimately proved too much to ask of some of the teams, who have endured a stressful, challenging and compressed 2020 season that will run later than normal,” Ms Rasheed said.
“Accordingly, the Santos Tour Down Under with international races will not run in 2021 but we assure everyone it will return to South Australia and the start of the UCI’s world cycling calendars in January 2022, with the full support of the UCI.”
Two-time defending champion Richie Porte said he was “gutted” by the news.
“For me being an Aussie and the defending champion, and then having a great Tour (de France as well) this year, of course we would have loved to come back and shown my face after such a great season,” Porte said.
“And I feel for Stuart O’Grady picking up the legacy of Mike Turtur and having this happen, but it’s such a well-run event and at the end of the day it’s commonsense that the decision was made.”
Porte said the “cautious approach” was best.
“France is going back into lockdown and we are in Monaco where they have just announced curfews,” he said.
“I’m still hopeful of getting back to Australia at some point in the off-season – Adelaide is a cycling city and I’d love to be able to thank the fans who supported me and also cheered for Jai Hindley who podiumed at the Giro d’Italia,” he said.
Organisers are now planning a “domestic cycling festival” in January, with details to be announced later this month.
Adelaide cyclist, world champion and 2015 Tour Down Under winner Rohan Dennis echoed Porte’s disappointment.
“I am sure the race will be bigger and better in 2022, with an extra 12 months to plan the race I am sure they can do something extra special,” he said.
Women’s Santos Tour Down Under race director Kimberly Conte said while disappointed the tour would not be staged in January, the state still had a “unique opportunity” to stage an event showcasing some of South Australia’s most beautiful regions.
“The Santos Tour Down Under has historically acted as a springboard for some of our most promising young athletes and this new event will offer a unique opportunity to showcase our young talented riders,” she said.
Originally published as Organisers cancel Tour Down Under 2021 but race director Stuart O’Grady says it will be back