Historic Port Adelaide set to send 20th Tour Down Under off in style
FROM the docklands of Port Adelaide on Tuesday, to a finale in King William Street on Sunday, South Australia will be on show again to the world for the 20th running of the Santos Tour Down Under.
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FROM the docklands of Port Adelaide on Tuesday to a city finale on Sunday, South Australia will again be on show to the world for the 20th running of the Santos Tour Down Under.
Consistently top-ranked as one of the best cycling events on the planet, the race over 800 kilometres through Adelaide and regional South Australia, on Tuesday returns to Port Adelaide for the first time since the inaugural TDU in 1999.
Port Adelaide Mayor Gary Johanson said securing the Tour had been a source of great pride for the locals.
“I’ve never seen the people of the Port so united,” he said.
“The TDU has been a great driving force to reinforce their support for the Port which has been through some pretty difficult times.
“We worked on getting it for years but to be honest we weren’t ready until this year. If we’d got the Tour before the beginning of the Port’s rebirth it would have worked against us and confirmed the Port had little to offer.”
The Mayor said the Port would be even more prepared in 12 months and will push for a stage finish.
“We can do far more than send the peloton out of the area via the dump,” he said.
“We’re looking for an exciting start and a finish in town that goes through the historic woolstore area and then over the bridges. ”
Steph Taylor from cafe Red Lime Shack agreed a finish on St Vincent St outside her business would be a dream come true. “I’m a cyclist myself so this is already bloody spectacular,” she said.
“It makes sense being here as it’s so beautiful with the river and the dolphins. Now we can finally show the world how great Port Adelaide is.”
Angus Kiley and Crispian Fielke co-owners of the Port Admiral Hotel, are prepared for the onslaught of spectators expected to top 10,000.
“I’m rapt that we’ve got it here as it will shine a big light on what is a very exciting part of Adelaide,” Mr Fielke said.
“We’ve got 60 seats out the front that will fill fast. We wave the Tour off at 11am and then it’s on to lunch.”
Mr Kiley, also a co-owner in the Port’s Low & Slow American BBQ restaurant, says being a local makes it more special. “It’s great to see it back in the area after so many years,” he said.
“It cements the impression the Port’s back on the rise.”
TDU organisers and the State Government are looking to break the one million mark for spectators during the race’s six remaining stages after more than 100,000 attended the women and men’s People’s Choice Classic on Sunday.
The Government estimates the 2017 Santos Tour Down Under injected around $55 million in to the state with more than 40,000 overseas and interstate visitors.
It created the equivalent of almost 700 jobs.
TDU race director Mike Turtur has overseen the event since the first year when attracting the world’s greatest cyclists to compete out of season and in the middle of the Australian summer seemed virtually impossible.
But all the biggest names of the peloton have competed in South Australia over two decades and this year is no exception with triple road race world champion Peter Sagan winning the Classic on Sunday, and leading the pack along with 2017 TDU champion, Australian Richie Porte.
Riders have become accustomed to the extreme heat and will compete against rising temperatures again this week.
The Bureau of Meteorology and South Australian State Emergency Service are advising spectators and cyclists to take care as temperatures soar.
The bureau has forecast temperatures in the thirties from today, peaking to a maximum of 41C on Thursday.
A forecast temperature of 36C is expected for the Bupa Challenge Tour, the mass-participation ride for the general public on Friday.
SES State Duty Officer Dr Sara Pulford said it was important spectators and cyclists keep well-hydrated, use sunscreen and, in training, ride early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler.
Originally published as Historic Port Adelaide set to send 20th Tour Down Under off in style