Santos Tour Down Under back next year

The world’s best cyclists will race in South Australia from 13-22 January 2023 as the Santos Tour Down Under makes a bold return.

Ten action-packed days and nights await fans at the UCI WorldTour event, which is set to launch the international cycling calendar for the first time since 2020.

Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said the Santos Tour Down Under would again share South Australia with a global audience and deliver a significant economic benefit to the state.

“Major events like the Santos Tour Down Under support South Australia’s tourism industry in its covid recovery and boost confidence across the sector,” Ms Bettison said.

“We look forward to welcoming fans to this celebration of cycling and sharing the food, wine, regions and city vibrancy that make South Australia such a great state.”   

In 2020 the Santos Tour Down Under attracted 44,800 visitors from interstate and overseas, injecting $66.4 million into the South Australian economy and creating the equivalent of 742 full-time jobs.

Its 2021 and 2022 editions were replaced by the Santos Festival of Cycling, which featured National Road Series races for men and women, domestic competition across a further five cycling disciplines and fan activities including the City of Adelaide Festival Village.

Santos Tour Down Under race director Stuart O’Grady OAM said he and the event team looked forward to delivering Australia’s greatest cycling race.  

“I can say emphatically and with great excitement that we are ready,” O’Grady said.

“World cycling is heading back to South Australia – mark those calendars and make your plans to share the celebration. We can’t wait to see you.”

O’Grady is currently spending four weeks in Europe, meeting with many of the teams set to compete at the next Santos Tour Down Under – and who have missed kick starting their season in South Australia.

“Elite cyclists love starting their seasons in South Australia and the amazing welcome they receive from fans here. For many of the teams, the Santos Tour Down Under is their favourite race experience of the year,” he said.

“We look forward to seeing familiar faces who we haven’t seen in South Australia since the 2020 Santos Tour Down Under, as well as riders who are experiencing the event for the first time.”

Santos managing director and chief executive officer Kevin Gallagher said the company was proud to support the event and recognised its broad community benefits.

“Supporting events and initiatives that make a positive contribution to the South Australian community is important to Santos,” Mr Gallagher said.

“We’re excited to see the Tour Down Under back in 2023. We’re looking forward to the full event returning to the streets of South Australia, bringing people together and driving economic benefits for the state.

“Competition for events like the Tour Down Under is strong and Santos is committed to supporting the event to keep it in South Australia so that Adelaide and surrounding regional communities reap the economic benefits that flow from the huge number of international and Australian tourists who come to South Australia for this world class event.”

The Santos Tour Down Under will be held in Adelaide and regional South Australia from 13-22 January 2023.

Visit tourdownunder.com.au for more information.