When cycling officials of Australia canceled the Tour Down Under in October, the Australian cycling community felt like they had been punched in gut and gasping for air. No cycling races in the country added to the gloomy mood because of COVID 19.
Not to be let the down under racing die, Santos Tour Down Under organizers unveiled details of a multi-day, multi-disciplinary Festival of Cycling. It will be an entirely domestic affair. The six day event will be held Tuesday 19 January to Sunday 24 January.
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
The show piece of the Santos Festival of Cycling is a new four-stage National Road Series (NRS) race, for both men and women, which will be similar to the Santos Tour Down Under.
Here are the cycling races.
Thursday 21 January: Ziptrak Stage 1 – Seppeltsfield to Tanunda (Men: 106.8km / Women 80.7km)
Friday 22 January: Stage 2 – Birdwood to Lobethal (Men: 116km / Women 97.3km)
Saturday 23 January: Be Safe Be Seen Stage 3 – McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill (Men: 88.2km / Women 48.8km)
Sunday 24 January: Trek Stage 4 – Victoria Park Adelaide (criteriums)
The event offer cycling races in many disciplines. Of course, the road races, but also Cyclo-Cross, BMX, Track, Paracycling and Mountain Biking.
Indoor track racing is also on the agenda. On 19 January, the Adelaide Superdrome will host the Adelaide Track League, with a packed line-up of young and emerging track riders.
Spectators will be treated to food trucks and local beer and wine vendors showing off Adelaide’s renowned eats.
Other Cycling Races
On 22 January and the 23rd of January the AMBC XCC short track races will get underway at Eagle MTB Park and the Port Adelaide Cycling Club will host Summer ‘Cross, one of the few cyclocross races that have been able to take place in Australia in the last twelve months due to the pandemic.
Another event that need to be highlighted is the Paracycling Wheelrace will take place at Victoria Park on the same day as the fourth stage of the NRS race.
Finally, the Challenge Tour – an event for all riders will be a virtual ride in in collaboration with FulGaz. Details are still in the planning stages.
Sign Up
All races will have a limit to the number of participants allowed. Entry forms and tickets can be had at www.tourdownunder.com.au/ticketing.
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