Fabian Cancellara to speak at Tour Down Under legend’s night and ride the Challenge Tour in January

One of the greatest one-day riders and time triallists in history, Fabian Cancellara, is coming to the Tour Down Under in January.

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AFTER trying to lure Fabian Cancellara to Adelaide for the past decade, the Santos Tour Down Under has finally got its man.

The retired Swiss superstar and reigning Olympic time trial champion will spearhead the annual legend’s night dinner during the TDU and ride the Challenge Tour on January 24.

Cancellara is one of the greatest one-day riders and time triallists in history having won Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders three times, Milan-San Remo, Strade Bianche, E3 Harelbeke and the time trial world championship four times.

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The 38-year-old retired from professional cycling in 2016 after the Tour de France and winning Olympic gold in the time trial in Rio de Janeiro. He last raced in Australia in 2010 at the world championships in Geelong where he won the time trial.

“I am still very much involved and connected in the cycling and sporting world and I am

looking forward to seeing the race and being a part of the Challenge Tour,” Cancellara said.

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“The excitement that the Santos Tour Down Under brings as the first race on the UCI

calendar is something special and I can’t wait to visit Down Under again in 2020.”

Fabian Cancellara won Olympic gold in his last race at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Picture: Sarah Reed.

TDU organisers had long hoped Cancellara would have raced in Adelaide before he retired but Events SA executive director Hitaf Rasheed and race director Mike Turtur said they were just as excited to honour his career in retirement.

“What a way to celebrate his professional cycling career and hear about his love of business

and cycling at the Santos Tour Down Under legend’s night dinner,” Ms Rasheed said.

Turtur described Cancellara’s career as a story of success, strength, initiative and perseverance.

“Fabian was an instinctive rider and one of the most successful cyclists in our sport’s

history,” Turtur said.

“He was an athlete with incredible power and determination to win, he was a committed

student in his psychological preparation as well as his physical training.

“He will tell some great stories and has a long history with the sport, he will give great

insight into his cycling career, before and after the wins.”

Cancellara will also ride the Challenge Tour which is presented by The Advertiser and next year takes recreational cyclists from Norwood to Murray Bridge.

Tickets and registration details for the legend’s night and Challenge Tour are available at www.tourdownunder.com.au

Originally published as Fabian Cancellara to speak at Tour Down Under legend’s night and ride the Challenge Tour in January