Tour Down Under 2016: Mike Turtur promises big international names for next year’s race

TOUR Down Under race director Mike Turtur has promised “some nice surprises” as he begins securing major international names for next year’s race.

TDU to reveal 2016 race routes revealed. TDU Race Director Mike Turtur and Ambassador Anna Meares at SAHMRI. Pic: Tricia Watkinson

TOUR Down Under race director Mike Turtur has promised “some nice surprises” as he begins securing major international names for next year’s race.

Less than 24 hours after Simon Gerrans raced to a record fourth TDU title, Turtur revealed WorldTour teams had indicated they were bringing more star power from Europe next year.

It comes as both Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish — arguably the world’s best Grand Tour rider and sprinter — both touch down in Australia ahead of racing in Victoria from this weekend.

“There’s been reasons why some of the big names aren’t here (TDU) and I’ll say this now — next year there’s going to be some nice surprises come this race,” Turtur said.

“I’ll leave it at that, but there’s going to be some nice surprises.

“The discussions I’ve had just in the last 24 hours has suggested clearly to me that this race is going to be hotly contested next year by a number of people who were here this year but also several others who are going to come.

“Come towards the end of this year I think we’ll be in a position to let all know what’s going to happen.

“I’m exciting about next year, I’m really excited.”

But Turtur categorically ruled out the race organisation paying for riders to race the event, like it did Lance Armstrong from 2009-2011.

“That was done for a reason, it was done as a business decision and it delivered over and above our wildest expectations,” he said.

“The legacy of that decision we are still getting benefits from now. After those years there was some sort of thought that we might have a 20 per cent drop in the overall numbers but we’ve actually had a percentage increase.

“(But) we won’t be contracting any individual rider.”

This year’s peloton faced challenging conditions in Adelaide with hot and humid weather and a tough course but Turtur praised spectators for lining the roads and riders for their performance, with no hospital admissions for the first time in years.

Having just closed the book on his 18th tour as race director, Turtur revealed at age 58 there was a succession plan in place for him to step aside — but it won’t be next year.

“I started when I was 40 with no grey hair and a pretty good mop, but it’s all diminishing pretty quickly,” he said.

“I love the role, it challenges me, I get excited and emotional.

“But there’s going to come a time where things have to move on and transitions have to be made, we are looking at that and for the whole event because a lot of our drivers are the same vintage as me.

“So we have a succession plan that’s rotating into the future.”

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Originally published as Tour Down Under 2016: Mike Turtur promises big international names for next year’s race