TDU 2013 news - lots of 1st for 2013 TDU

Hot off the telex... routes linked at the bottom.

2 July 2012
for immediate release

New 'firsts' revealed for 2013 Santos Tour Down Under

The 2013 Santos Tour Down Under, launched today, will, for the first time, have an even number of stages that favour both sprinters and all rounders.

A completely new stage route and a grass start are just two additional new components to the 2013 Santos Tour Down Under.

The stage routes revealed Mount Barker in the Adelaide Hills will host a start for the first time while Rostrevor will host a stage finish also for the first time.

The 2013 Santos Tour Down Under will be held from 20 to 27 January, 2013.

Race director, Mike Turtur, said the event would be turning 15 next year and competitors and spectators alike would notice some differences.

“We’ve built the Santos Tour Down Under successfully over 15 years and it now brings in more than $42 million of economic activity, which is quite an achievement, but we’re always looking at ways to keep the event dynamic and constantly evolving,” Mr Turtur said.

Furthermore, the 2013 UCI WorldTour race will include a brand new ŠKODA King of the Mountain climb at Corkscrew Hill.

After successfully hosting stages last year, Prospect, Lobethal, Unley, Stirling, Tanunda, McLaren Vale and Old Willunga Hill will again host stage starts or finishes.

“Stage Two from Mount Barker to Rostrevor will be the shortest open road stage in the race’s history at 116 kilometres and also includes a gruelling new ŠKODA King of the Mountain climb on Corkscrew Hill,” Mr Turtur said.

“Riders will set off from Modbury in Bupa Stage Four, which will be a grass start – the first grass start in this event’s history and, as far as I’m aware, in any other road racing event too.

As the largest cycling race in the southern hemisphere and the first stop on the world cycling calendar, the Santos Tour Down Under will again attract an extremely high calibre of cyclists.

“Always a festival, the Santos Tour Down Under will be in full-party mode when we officially celebrate its 15th birthday on Saturday 19 January in Victoria Square with the team presentations followed by various entertainment.

“Last year’s event was soaked up by more than 760,000 spectators, which included more than 36,000 interstate and international visitors," said Mr Turtur. “With the race route travelling through South Australia’s spectacular regions, it’s a great opportunity for visitors to explore the state’s diverse attractions and scenery and enjoy the warm January weather," said Mr Turtur. “I look forward to seeing the exciting new components of next year’s event unfold and to again welcoming some of the world’s best cyclists to South Australia.”

Santos Chief Executive David Knox said the company was proud to be the naming rights sponsor for a major event that was so capable of attracting elite cyclists and visitors from around the world.

“Our announcement in January to extend our naming rights sponsorship until 2016 demonstrates our dedication to an event that provides the state with so much energy and showcases South Australia’s beautiful and vibrant regions to a global audience,” Mr Knox said.

“We look forward to again working with Events South Australia and other sponsors to grow the popularity of the event and increase the economic benefits for the state.”

2013 Santos Tour Down Under stage routes:

The 2013 Santos Tour Down Under will be held in Adelaide and regional South Australia from 20 - 27 January 2013.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/corkscrew-road-to-feature-in-santos-t...

Tags: community, group, ride, tdu

Views: 804

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tim B on July 2, 2012 at 11:19
Corkscrew, finally!
May be an obvious question, but what's a "grass start", or is that only for the Bupa event?
Permalink Reply by Jeremy Champion on July 2, 2012 at 12:03

I assume the start is actually on Civic Park Oval opposite the Plaza.

Permalink Reply by Trent on July 2, 2012 at 11:30

course looks ok. glad to see another monster added in the form of corkscrew to accompany old willy. would have loved an ITT or TTT
Unley to stirling would have made a good BUPA stage.
cant wait for this again! such a great week

Permalink Reply by Michelle Crick on July 2, 2012 at 23:20

+1 I'm so excited

Permalink Reply by Rob (Chewbacca) on July 2, 2012 at 11:51
grass....smokin :p
Permalink Reply by Paul Inglis on July 2, 2012 at 12:04

The routes are up on the Tour Down Under website. All of the stages look great. Stage 4 makes more sense now as the only easy day.

Stage 1 has Checker Hill and a few loops around Lobethal.

Stage 2 is a tour of the hills inlcuding Meadows, Hahndorf, Woodside then Corkscrew.

Stage 3 goes up Cross Rd and the Old Freeway then 6 laps! of the Stirling loop.

Stage 4 is flat for the sprinters.

Stages 5 & 6 are the same as 2012.

All of the stages look to be designed to be able ride to locations to watch them.

Permalink Reply by Dahondude on July 2, 2012 at 12:16

Jesus, expect to see some mighty crashes on stage 2...descending Gorge Rd and Montacute for a downhill finish. 

"A grass start" WTF?? Its neutral anyway so why is this an attraction.

Otherwise, looks like a few good stages to see the race come past multiple times...Stage 3 should be a good one for this - the Old Freeway and then hop over to somewhere between Stirling/Mylor. Dunno if the pros are going to be too impressed by the Old Freeway climb at the very start of the stage though.

Permalink Reply by Justin V on July 2, 2012 at 12:11

Corkscrew

Checkers Hill

Willunga

Enough to test the boys I think - Bring it on!

Permalink Reply by John Kobes on July 2, 2012 at 13:28

Is the stage profile for BUPA stage 4 on the Tour Down Under website back-to-front? Top screenshot is the TDU website pdf, second one is from bike map.net ...

Attachments:
Permalink Reply by Jeremy Champion on July 2, 2012 at 14:10

John you are correct spoke with TDF people earlier. They are fixing it now.

Permalink Reply by Daniel Lynch on July 2, 2012 at 14:00

That looks mighty fun, all except stage 4 down near my place (shame I'll be in Cambodia during the tour)

Permalink Reply by Gus K on July 2, 2012 at 14:13

The Mayor of Campbelltown posted this:

Council has been successful in securing the finish of Stage 2 of the 2013 Tour Down Under. The leg will conclude outside the Council Chambers on Montacute Road around mid-afternoon on 23rd January. It would seem that the whole TDU has been re-arranged to keep it closer to the actual courses rather than choking metropolitan streets, which is probably a good move. Not sure what our arrangements will be at this stage, but I expect that section of Montacute Road will be closed for some hours to facilitate a fairly major event.

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