Published on 18 October 2023
Three exciting Tour days in Onkaparinga
The world’s top female and male cyclists will head to Onkaparinga this January for three action-packed days of the 2024 Santos Tour Down Under.
For the first time, the women will finish at the top of Willunga Hill, after a punishing category one climb. A week later, the men will do the same.
And for the first time, the men will start on the Esplanade at Christies Beach.
Along the way, the cyclists will test the speed limit during Ziptrak sprints at the Willunga Show Hall and on the Aldinga Beach Esplanade.
The Santos Tour Down Under also recently announced that Formula One superstar Valtteri Bottas and Adelaide professional cyclist, Tiffany Cromwell, partners in the global GRVL cycling series, will bring a new gravel event to Adelaide during the Santos Tour Down Under.
The RADL GRVL will run from Thursday 18 to Saturday 20 January and will take place on a mix of sealed and gravel roads across various regions around Adelaide, including Onkaparinga.
Day one begins with a shake-out ride leaving from the Tour Village in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga on the Thursday. Friday will be a competitive race in McLaren Vale, and Saturday 20 January will see a recovery ride finishing with a watch party on Willunga Hill for the Santos Tour Down Under THINK! Road Safety Men’s Stage 5.
Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were said the city was excited to host the Tour once again.
“We have hosted a stage of the Santos Tour Down Under every year since its inception in 1999,” she said.
“This is an international event. The eyes of the world will be on our stunning coastline, our historic villages and our renowned wine region.
“The Tour is a tourism and economic boon for our region, as well as a great day out for families, cycling enthusiasts and connoisseurs of great food and wine.”
The Santos Tour Down Under is the biggest cycling race in the southern hemisphere and attracts both female and male professional cycling teams to South Australia each January.
The 10-day event will run in Adelaide and regional South Australia from 12 to 21 January.
Tour dates in Onkaparinga
Saturday 13 January 2024
Women’s stage 2, Glenelg to Stirling
104km via Cherry Gardens, Clarendon and Kangarilla
Highlights: category one climb in Cherry Gardens
Sunday 14 January 2024
Women’s stage 3, Adelaide CBD to Willunga
93km via Clarendon, Kangarilla, McLaren Flat, McLaren Vale, Aldinga and ending at Willunga Hill
Highlights: Ziptrak sprints at Willunga and Aldinga Beach; category one climb finish to Brookman Road, Willunga Hill
Saturday 20 January 2024
THINK! Road Safety men's stage 5, Christies Beach to Willunga
129km via Port Noarlunga, Old Noarlunga, Aldinga, McLaren Vale, and ending at Willunga Hill
Highlights: Ziptrak sprints at Willunga and Aldinga Beach; category one climb finish at Brookman Road, Willunga Hill