The Tour Down Under was first raced in 1999 and grew in stature until 2008 when it was awarded ProTour status, which raised it to the upper echelon of professional cycling. Lance Armstrong's appearances between 2009 and 2011 helped grow the race for both Australian and international audiences despite the American having little impact on the results sheets.
The only WorldTour race of the southern hemisphere has attracted world champions, Tour de France champions and launched the careers of young cyclists. Arguably, it's also the location of one of Alberto Contador's most important victories of his career with his 2005 stage win his first following brain surgery.
- See also: Tour Down Under stages 2016
- Tour Down Under previous winners
- Provisional start list for 2016
When and where is the Tour Down Under held?
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The Tour Down Under is held in the middle of January in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. The race is run out of the Hilton Hotel with stage starts and finishes predominantly within 30 minutes of the city centre. A village is set up across the road from the Hilton where the teams are based for the week while the other half of the Victoria Square is given over to bicycle companies to show off their wares, hire out bicycles and host the cyclists for evening events, which all contributes to a festival atmosphere.
With the race held during the school holidays and several other sports and festivals taking place in January and February, the fans come out in force for the race as and Adelaide plays delightful host. The race itself is set up to be spectator friendly with a bicycle just about the best way to catch all the action.
What are the Tour Down Under stages like?
- See also: Dennis and Porte to lead BMC at Tour Down Under
- Hansen and Valls to lead Lotto-Soudal at Tour Down Under
- Hesjedal, Reijnen to make Trek Factory Racing debut at Tour Down Under
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