Tour Down Under gets new start for 2014

THE 2014 Tour Down Under will start with a criterium around the River Torrens in North Adelaide in a move away from Rymill Park.

Andy Schleck at the Tour Down Under

THE 2014 Tour Down Under will start with a criterium around the River Torrens in North Adelaide in a move away from Rymill Park.

The People's Choice Classic - a curtain raiser to the tour officially starting with Stage 1 - will take in Victoria Drive past Adelaide University, Frome Road and King William Road.

The peloton will complete 25 laps before an expected bunch sprint finish which in the past has been tailor made for German sprint king Andre Greipel.

It is the fourth location for the opening classic after it was held at Hutt Street, Glenelg and Rymill Park.

The classic on Sunday, January 19, will also incorporate the People's Choice Undies Run which raises money for bowel cancer.

A clash with Australia Day cricket at Adelaide Oval has also forced organisers to change the route for Stage 6 but that new course won't be announced for at least a fortnight.

Race director Mike Turtur said it would not include any of the route for the classic.