Published on 06 January 2023
The Santos Tour Down Under is back
International superstars and Australia’s best cyclists are landing in Adelaide as excitement builds for the return of the Santos Tour Down Under next week.
Australia’s greatest cycling race kicks off next Friday, 13 January after a two-year COVID-induced hiatus, with action kicking off in the Onkaparinga from Sunday, 15 January with the Ziptrak Women's Stage 1, co-hosted by Onkaparinga and Holdfast Bay councils.
City of Onkaparinga is also hosting the THINK! Road Safety Men's Stage 4 on Saturday, 21 January, offering residents two big days to soak up the biggest cycling race in the southern hemisphere, alongside some bumper family friendly events. Find out more about each stage and how you can join in the fun below.
Ziptrak Women’s Stage 1 – Sunday, 15 January
Join the fun: Come along to a free family friendly event at the Snapper Point Playground (corner Esplanade and Butterworth Road, Aldinga) from 11:30am to 3:30pm, where you can enjoy live music, food trucks, roving entertainment, face-painting, and a big screen to watch the race before its thrilling finish at Snapper Point!
The route: The 110.4km stage starts in Glenelg at 11:30am but soon weaves its way through the City of Onkaparinga, north-to-south, including sprints at Main Road, Willunga; Queen of the Mountain at Chapel Hill Road, McLaren Vale; and the Snapper Point finish, which is anticipated at 3:07pm. Head to the Santos Tour Down Under website for the route map, key vantage points, and approximate race times.
History in the making: Not only is this the first time the City of Onkaparinga has hosted a women’s stage, it’s the first ever UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) Women’s WorldTour cycling race in the southern hemisphere!
THINK! Road Safety Men's Stage 4 – Saturday, 21 January
Join the fun: Port Willunga is hosting the start of the stage for the first time, and it’ll be home to pre-race festivities from 10:30am. Enjoy food trucks and a big screen to view the race throughout the day. The Star of Greece kiosk will also be open alongside the stunning Port Willunga beach.
In Willunga, the Town Square and Willunga Show Hall will both be abuzz with family friendly food, coffee and market stalls, while local clubs and community groups, Willunga Tennis Club, Lions Club, and football club are hosting pop-up barbeques along the race route.
Park at a bike rack, which will be spread throughout town, while you pop in for a coffee or snack, including along High Street and its much-loved lineup of cafes, pubs, cellar doors and craft breweries.
You can also enjoy live music from Ripcord (11am) and Bloomy Meadows (12pm) out the front of Moongarden at 8A Hill Street.
The race finish will take place near the Old Bush Inn, where you’ll find the Santos Tour Down Under podium and big screen to catch the action all day alongside a variety of food and drink options.
Running from 11am to 3pm will be the Veranda Barbeque, showcasing beverages from race sponsor Hahn. Seating will be available in the car park at the Hahn Kiosk and in the Old Bush Inn beer garden.
And if that’s not enough, don’t forget about the Fleurieu Beer Festival (1-10pm) at Willunga Oval, and the Summer Vines program of events taking place across the McLaren Vale Wine Region from 20-29 January!
The route: The 135-kilometre stage begins at Port Willunga (alongside the Star of Greece restaurant) and after a couple of laps through the southern vales and south coast, it’ll finish up at High Street, Willunga. Head to the Santos Tour Down Under website for the route map, key vantage points, and approximate race times.
History in the making: The Onkaparinga’s men’s stage has a fresh new look in 2023, with its maiden start at Port Willunga and a finish at Willunga’s much-loved High Street rather than Willunga Hill. This year’s star-studded field boasts four Grand Tour winners including four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome. City of Onkaparinga has now hosted a stage at every Santos Tour Down Under since its inception in 1999.
Oakley Men's Stage 2 – Thursday, 19 January
For those that can’t get enough of the cycling, Stage 2 of the men’s also runs north-to-south through the length of the City of Onkaparinga on its way from Brighton to Victor Harbor.
While council isn’t hosting the stage and there are no formal events planned, you can still find a great vantage point along the route to take in the action. Head to the Santos Tour Down Under website for more information on the stage’s route, vantage points and approximate race times.
MORE INFORMATION
For race information – head to the Santos Tour Down Under website
For information on temporary traffic restrictions and parking, visit the City of Onkaparinga website