Tour Down Under
Encyclopedia
The Tour Down Under is a cycling race in Adelaide
, South Australia
and surrounding area. The race starts on the third Tuesday of January each year and attracts riders from across Australia and the world. In 2005, the Tour Down Under was promoted by the Union Cycliste Internationale
to the international rating of 2.HC, the largest and highest ranking outside Europe. In 2008 the Tour Down Under became the first UCI ProTour
event outside Europe, and the following year it became the inaugural event of the UCI World Ranking
calendar.
The conditions in South Australia in late January are often very hot.
The Tour Down Under has a companion event, the Be Active Tour. This is one of Australia's fastest growing recreational events, held over the route the professionals race later in the day. The inaugural event in 2003 was known as the Breakaway Tour and attracted more than 600 riders. In 2004 riders increased to 1,400 and the event was known on as the Be Active Tour. The 2005 tour saw more than 1,900 riders leave Salisbury, Williamstown and Angaston in 30 degrees to tackle the hills and roads of stage 2. In 2006, riders rode 154 km from Strathalbyn to Yankalilla in the low 40s. The heat took its toll on riders and a heat policy now exists.
In 2007 the name changed again to Mutual Community Challenge Tour and it was joined by the Mutual Community Fun Tour and Powerade mini-tour for children. The new events are to increase the popularity of the event and attract people who do not ride regularly. In 2010 there were over 8,000 participants.
(Australia, 1999 and 2001) and André Greipel
(Germany, 2008 and 2010) are the only riders to have won the Tour Down Under twice.
series of three street circuits. This was sponsored by UniSA
and was generally held at the same place as the men's race, or at the end of the men's race.
For the 2011 edition there will be a two-race series called the Rendition Homes Santos Women’s Cup.
of Francaise Des Jeux. For 2011, the rider is Angel Madrazo
of Team Movistar.
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
and surrounding area. The race starts on the third Tuesday of January each year and attracts riders from across Australia and the world. In 2005, the Tour Down Under was promoted by the Union Cycliste Internationale
Union Cycliste Internationale
Union Cycliste Internationale is the world governing body for sports cycling and oversees international competitive cycling events. The UCI is based in Aigle, Switzerland....
to the international rating of 2.HC, the largest and highest ranking outside Europe. In 2008 the Tour Down Under became the first UCI ProTour
UCI ProTour
The UCI ProTour was a series of road bicycle races in Europe, Australia and Canada organised by the UCI . Created by Hein Verbruggen, former president of the UCI, it comprises a number of 'ProTour' cycling teams, each of whom are required to compete in every round of the series...
event outside Europe, and the following year it became the inaugural event of the UCI World Ranking
UCI World Ranking
The UCI World Tour is the premier annual male elite road cycling tour. It refers to both the tour of 27 events and an annual ranking system based upon performances in these...
calendar.
List of overall winners
Course
The Tour generally features stages surrounding Adelaide, which varies from flat to moderately undulating. There are no large mountains in the area, giving specialist climbers few opportunities to show their particular skills. One notable climb featured involves two laps of Willunga Hill, a 3 km climb at an average gradient of 7.6%. However, it is typical for most tour stages to finish as a bunch sprint. The Tour does not include a time trial, as is typical in early season races and to avoid imposing extra shipping costs on the international teams.The conditions in South Australia in late January are often very hot.
Current jerseys
- The Ochre jersey is awarded to the rider with the fastest cumulative time at the end of each stage and to the winner at the end. OchreOchreOchre is the term for both a golden-yellow or light yellow brown color and for a form of earth pigment which produces the color. The pigment can also be used to create a reddish tint known as "red ochre". The more rarely used terms "purple ochre" and "brown ochre" also exist for variant hues...
is associated with Australia and the Tour Down Under is unique in having it for the leader's jersey. - The Sprint jersey is awarded to the rider with most points and time bonuses awarded to the first three riders across the line at points along the route and at the finish.
- The King of the Mountain jersey is awarded to the rider with most points awarded to the first five riders over climbs.
- The Young rider’s jersey is awarded to the leading rider under 23 at the end of each stage.
- The Most aggressive rider’s jersey is worn by the rider who instigated most attacks, breakaways or helped team-mates to best advantage during the stage.
- The Winning team jersey goes to the team with the lowest cumulative time by its four best riders on each of the six stages.
Be Active Tour
In 2007 the name changed again to Mutual Community Challenge Tour and it was joined by the Mutual Community Fun Tour and Powerade mini-tour for children. The new events are to increase the popularity of the event and attract people who do not ride regularly. In 2010 there were over 8,000 participants.
Records
Stuart O'GradyStuart O'Grady
Stuart O'Grady OAM , nicknamed Stuey, is an Australian professional road bicycle racer on UCI ProTeam , who started as a track cyclist. He and Graeme Brown won a gold medal in Men's Madison at the 2004 Summer Olympics...
(Australia, 1999 and 2001) and André Greipel
Andre Greipel
André Greipel is a German professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam .He currently lives in Hürth, close to Cologne in Germany...
(Germany, 2008 and 2010) are the only riders to have won the Tour Down Under twice.
Women's Criterium Series
There used to be a women's criteriumCriterium
A criterium, or crit, is a bike race held on a short course , often run on closed-off city center streets....
series of three street circuits. This was sponsored by UniSA
University of South Australia
The University of South Australia is a public university in the Australian state of South Australia. It was formed in 1991 with the merger of the South Australian Institute of Technology and Colleges of Advanced Education. It is the largest university in South Australia, with more than 36,000...
and was generally held at the same place as the men's race, or at the end of the men's race.
For the 2011 edition there will be a two-race series called the Rendition Homes Santos Women’s Cup.
Traditions
One tradition of the Tour Down Under is that the fans choose an unknown rider and treat him the way they would a star, by mobbing him at hotels and painting his name on the road. The rider must be a non-english speaking domestique who most likely will not get a start at a major race and will simply act as a bottle carrier. For 2010 that rider was Arthur VichotArthur Vichot
Arthur Vichot is a French professional cyclist and member of UCI Professional Continental team FDJ. He is the nephew of Frédéric Vichot, who won stages in the Tour de France in 1984 and 1985.-2010 Tour Down Under:...
of Francaise Des Jeux. For 2011, the rider is Angel Madrazo
Angel Madrazo
Ángel Madrazo Ruiz is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam .-2011 Tour Down Under:One tradition of the Tour Down Under is that the fans choose an unknown rider and treat him the way they would a star, by mobbing him at hotels and painting his name on the road...
of Team Movistar.