Mel Maschio and pals are in the loop as the Santos Tour Down Under comes to the Barossa

THE Barossa Valley has come alive with pink and blue spray-painted bikes and plenty of fighting spirit ahead of the TDU on Tuesday.

THE Barossa Valley has come alive with pink and blue spray-painted bikes, bunting and plenty of fighting spirit ahead of the first stage of the Tour Down Under on Tuesday.

Race organisers on Monday deemed the Nuriootpa to Angaston loop safe after it was almost cancelled for fears the region was too dangerous due to the threat from nearby Eden Valley bushfire, which continues to burn.

Excitement is building in the towns, but there is also a sense of sadness from residents - many of whom know families who lost livestock, sheds and homes in the blaze.

Whistler Wines owner Mel Maschio has been busy organising Tour Down Under events at her own winery but hasn't forgotten the tireless CFS volunteers.

"She will host a sold-out 60-person long lunch at the winery as her guests watch the race trackside and munch on local food prepared by famous Barossa chef Saskia Beer.

"We've been working hard to get the news out to everybody we're open and it's ok - it's still on," she said.

Angaston resident Sarah Barrett, who formed part of the town's Tour Down Under working committee, said she was glad the event would go ahead despite the devastation in surrounding towns.

"Who wouldn't want to come to the Tour Down Under, watch the race, have a glass of wine, taste some Barossa cheese and see what the Barossa Valley has to offer," she said.

Her committee was busy spray-painting old bikes, hanging up bunting and encouraging businesses down the Angaston main street to make the most of the region's influx of visitors.

Barossa Valley Visitor Centre information officer Rebecca Reynolds, of Tanunda, said this year's race was completely centred in the Barossa.

"Usually we only host a start or a finish but this is really is a Barossa only day," she said.

"There's a real buzz around town."

The race starts in Nuriootpa at 11am before finishing in Angaston at about 2.30pm.

THE TDU WILL BOOST OUR REGION'S MORALE

By Barossa Mayor Brian Hurn

WE had a very traumatic period last week with fires that have been devastating to farmers, landowners and the community as a whole.

I am absolutely delighted that we were able to stop the fires spreading and that we can now hold our stage of the Tour Down Under.

It will certainly help take people's minds off the tragedy that has occurred and will help boost morale.

Many people have put a lot of effort into this stage of the event and for it to go ahead means everything.

Local businesses, such as accommodation providers and restaurants, as well as those who visit from interstate, overseas, as well as locals, can remain confident in the welfare of this community.

A conservative estimate suggests the Tour Down Under brings between $2 million and $3 million to the Barossa, not to mention the fact that it is promoted throughout the world, creating publicity that money can't buy.

I spoke to people up and down the streets yesterday - from Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and also South Australia who are incredibly grateful this stage could happen.

The CFS and wider community have done a magnificent job, even though at times they were totally exhausted. They just accepted what they needed to do and went out and did it.

There was a huge response from the community to help them, offering support such as taking out sandwiches to them.

We still don't know the full extent of the damage, but what we do know is that it could have been a lot worse.

We are tremendously lucky to have these volunteers and such a great community and plan to have a civic reception for all involved.