The Santos Tour Down Under is expanding its fan experience for 2027, with bespoke festivals to be rolled out at every start and finish location across the nine-day event.
While the City of Adelaide Tour Village remains the heartbeat of the event in the CBD, 11 unique Start/Finish Line Festivals will be built in collaboration with the councils and towns hosting stage starts and finishes. Each will offer free entry.
The new festivals will feature on-track experiences bolstered by roaming cameras taking spectators inside the peloton and team cars, mascot racing and entertainment, dedicated bike zones with valet service and mechanics, local food and beverage offerings, kids’ activities, and increased seating and shade.
Wayne Milera named Health Partners Family Ride ambassador
Adelaide Crows star Wayne Milera has been named the Health Partners Family Ride ambassador. Fresh from earning his maiden All-Australian blazer after a career-best AFL season, Milera and his five-year-old son Carter will take part in the Health Partners Family Ride on The Parade in Norwood on Sunday 24 January.
“Last year I bought a new bike and started going out once or twice a week; it’s great conditioning and good for the head to get outside on a nice morning or afternoon instead of being in the gym all the time,” Milera said.
“And Carter enjoys his bike riding. We ride to school every now and then and he loves taking his bike down the beach, or if we go for a walk around the neighbourhood he jumps on his bike as well so we are looking forward to being part of the Santos Tour Down Under in January.”
Key dates and events
The TDU will run from Saturday 16 January when the City of Adelaide Tour Village opens, through to Sunday 24 January when the historic men’s and women’s WorldTour races conclude in Stirling. The 2027 event makes history as the first race in the world to feature men’s and women’s racing over the same distance on the same days.
South Australia will also host the Oceania Road Championships as a curtain-raiser to the TDU with a time trial and road race from 15-17 January. The event will double as the opening round of the ProVelo Super League Series, with final race routes to be revealed in coming weeks.
The nine-day Festival of Cycling program includes:
- A free Saturday night opening concert in the City of Adelaide Tour Village on 16 January headlined by DJ Hot Dub Time Machine
- Autograph sessions where fans can meet the professional riders in the Village (16-18 January)
- The return of the Bike Expo showcasing the latest bikes, technology and equipment
- Men’s team presentation from 7pm on 16 January and Women’s team presentation from 7pm on 21 January
- The Carpark Climb bringing action into the heart of the city on Saturday night 23 January
- Group Rides run by AusCycling, with guided daily rides from the Village taking in different aspects of the race route
- Santos Best Dressed Town awards judged in two categories: ‘best dressed town’ and ‘best dressed property’, with daily prize money ranging from $250 to $500 and an overall prize of $5000
Minister for Tourism Emily Bourke said the new Start/Finish Line Festivals are a great way to showcase local produce, hospitality and entertainment.
“The City of Adelaide Tour Village with the Bike Expo attached is a mecca for cycling fans and the perfect spot for anyone to drop in and soak up the atmosphere of the biggest sporting event in the state,” she said.
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