The Adelaide Hills will take a higher profile in the 2015 Tour Down Under, organisers announced today.
The small Adelaide Hills town of Paracombe will have a stage finish as will Mount Barker and Stirling.
Adelaide’s East End is back in favour as the base for the People’s Choice Classic.
Race Director Mike Turtur said today he was pleased with the balance achieved in the race stages.
“Stage 1 from Tanunda to Campbelltown will see us get off to a spectacular start with racing starting straight out of the township,” he said.
“The new finish location in Campbelltown presents a very tough, uphill sprint which will demand perfect timing by the sprinters.
“There will be two loops through the Barossa before riders tackle Checker Hill in the opposite direction to usual and power towards the finish line.
“The new finish at Paracombe and the climb up Torrens Hill Road will make for a very interesting stage.
“We are returning to Glenelg after many years for a stage start which will be a highlight and on the same day a new finish location in Mount Barker.”
The formal race schedule is:
- People’s Choice Classic (Adelaide) – 51 km – Sunday January 18
- Stage 1 from Tanunda to Campbelltown (132.6 km) on Tuesday January 20
- Stage 2 from suburban Unley to Stirling (150.5 km) January 21
- Stage 3 from Norwood to Paracombe (143.2 km) January 22
- Stage 4 from Glenelg to Mount Barker (144.5 km) January 23
- Stage 5 from McLaren Vale to a Willunga Hill finish (151.5 km) January 24
- Stage 6 Adelaide streets (final route to be determined) January 25
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Paracombe will become the smallest rural town to host a stage finish in the 17-year history of the event.
Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said the stages and race routes were designed to give sprinters, climbers and all-rounders an equal chance at victory, while also showcasing some of South Australia’s great destinations.
Bignell also confirmed the Tourrific Prospect street party – part of the Santos Festival of Cycling – will return next year.
“This event will be held on the evening of Monday January 19 – the official race rest day – which means there’ll be something for cycling fans to do every day of the Tour Down Under.”
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