WorldTour peloton set to return at 2023 Santos Tour Down Under

Photo: Russ Ellis

The Santos Tour Down Under will bring the international peloton back to Australian shores next January.

Returning to UCI WorldTour status, the multi-day event will take place in South Australia from 13–22 January 2023.

The Adelaide-based event is set to launch the international cycling calendar for the first time since 2020 and the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Ruby Roseman-Gannon and James Whelan won this year’s NRS event.

“I can say emphatically and with great excitement that we are ready,” said Stuart O’Grady, Santos Tour Down Under Race Director. “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.

“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,” O’Grady said.

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.

Previous winners of the Santos Tour Down Under include Australians Amanda Spratt, Richie Porte, Simon Gerrans and Rohan Dennis. The event has attracted international stars such as Peter Sagan, Alberto Contador and Andre Greipel.