Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig the world number seventh ranked female cyclist on her love of SA, her role for TDU and her Olympic goals

Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig is already one of the most loved riders in women’s cycling and she is set to have a fair bit of support from South Australians when the women’s Tour Down Under begins.

Cecilie Uttrup-Ludwig (FDJ Suez) pictured in Adelaide ahead of this week’s TDU start. Picture: Keryn Stevens

She is already one of the most loved riders in women’s cycling through her passionate celebrations and bubbly personality.

Now Danish star Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig is set to have some significant support from the locals when the women’s Tour Down Under kicks off on Friday.

It might be a debut at the TDU for the FDJ-Suez gun, who is the seventh-ranked female cyclist in the world, but the 28-year-old is no stranger to South Australia.

She has been going out with Adelaide cyclist Miles Scotson since 2021 since the two met in Girona.

The highest ranking women's Cyclist Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ Suez) with partner and cyclist in the TDU, Miles Scotson (Arkea), who is from South Australia. Picture: Keryn Stevens

And Uttrup Ludwig hasn’t wasted any time in getting around some of Australia’s well-known treats.

“I am super excited, I am racing in a country that I really like,” she said before the women’s TDU.

“It’s my boyfriends home country so I feel kind of at home.

“This is my third time in Australia, second time here in Adelaide and I am loving it.

“I came for Christmas here and we are eating all the Australian food like pavlova and the weather has been good. It’s just quite nice.”

Not surprisingly, Uttrup Ludwig has become a fan of the meringue-based dessert.

“I’m a big fan, it is really good,” she said.

The Australian love-in doesn’t stop there for Uttrup Ludwig.

While she is the highest-ranked rider in the women’s peloton, the Dane will be largely riding in support of fellow FDJ-Suez teammate and defending TDU champion Grace Brown.

Brown and Uttrup Ludwig. Picture: Dario Belingheri/Getty Images

While it is a different role for the Tour de France stage winner, it is one she is excited about.

“She (Brown) is the defending champion so I am here to help her as much as I can and I am just excited,” Uttrup Ludwig said.

“It is going to be super nice stages and I have heard that the crowds are super good and I hope we get a lot of people coming out to cheer for us.

“I think it’s a fun job to do (support Brown) and now it is early on in the season compared to the European season.

“So I am excited and I love Grace so I’m happy to help her out.”

While it will be Brown’s time to shine when racing begins on Friday, Uttrup Ludwig will be looking to hit form back in Europe.

“I’m really keen to do Strade Bianche, the Ardennes races and the Tour de France, and there is also the Olympics this year and the World Championships,” she said.

“So there are a lot of races.”

Uttrup Ludwig is set to get a lot of SA support. Picture: Keryn Stevens

The Olympics in Paris are of particular interest to Uttrup Ludwig, not just to improve her 10th place in Tokyo three years ago.

“It is something that happens only every four years and it would be cool to finally get in that village,” she said.

“The last Olympics in Tokyo, because of Covid, we were separate from all the other sports so we were just cycling in one hotel.

“So it would be cool to mingle with other sports. Just going to the buffet and seeing the big guys, the small girl, just being there and thinking that this is an event where everyone is coming with their A game and trying to guess what sport they are doing.

“I just think it would be awesome to feel that vibe where everyone is dedicated and are the best in the sport.”

Originally published as Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig the world number seventh ranked female cyclist on her love of SA, her role for TDU and her Olympic goals