TDU 2017 to start on January 14, and include top-notch women’s race

NEXT year’s Santos Tour Down Under will be held from January 14-22 and again include a top-level women’s race before the men’s WorldTour peloton opens the international season.

Simon Germans in Stage 6 action on his way to overall victory at the 2016 Tour Down Under. The dates for the 2017 event have been announced. Picture: Sarah Reed.

NEXT year’s Santos Tour Down Under will be held from January 14-22 and again include a top-level women’s race before the men’s WorldTour peloton opens the international season.

Organisers were on Saturday finally able to announce the dates of the 2017 race after the sport’s governing body, the UCI, and its major international partner, the ASO — owner of the Tour de France — reached a ceasefire in their ongoing dispute.

The ASO had threatened to pull its events from the UCI’s calendar but the two have reached an agreement to continue working together.

It means the Australian summer of cycling is likely to begin with the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic from January 1-3, then continue with the national road championships in Ballarat from January 4-8 before the focus turns to Adelaide for the TDU.

The Santos Women’s Tour will start on January 14 and coincide with the TDU teams presentation.

The People’s Choice Classic will remain in its traditional Sunday timeslot on January 15 before the race proper begins on the Tuesday, January 17.

The official race route, including which towns and suburbs will host stage starts and finishes, will be unveiled on July 11.

Victoria’s Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race will follow the TDU and is likely to be held on the weekend of January 28-29.

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Originally published as TDU 2017 to start on January 14, and include top-notch women’s race