South Australia will kick off the UCI WorldTour men's international cycling season tomorrow when the 2019 Santos Tour Down Under returns to the streets of Port Adelaide.
The Santos Women's Tour Down Under and Down Under Classic provided an exhilarating precursor to the race – with thousands of fans flocking to the roadside to get a glimpse of cycling sensations like three-time UCI World Road Champion, Peter Sagan.
Premier Steven Marshall said it has been exciting to see so many people out celebrating the event over the last four days.
"We have seen fans flock to the City of Adelaide Tour Village, line the roads to cheer on the women's peloton and now plan their days in region to follow the men's racing," said Premier Marshall.
"The men's peloton will travel through some of the most glorious parts of South Australia and showcase our State to not only spectators here, but a huge global television audience.
"The economic opportunity is huge, with last year's race injecting $63.7 million into Adelaide and the State's regional towns.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment David Ridgway said over the next six days the men's peloton will travel 857.8 gruelling kilometres through the Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Fleurieu Peninsula and metropolitan Adelaide.
"Cycling holds a special place in my heart, I grew up riding some of these roads – and there truly is no better way showcase our diverse regions to the world," said Minister Ridgway.
"We've got some of the world's biggest cycling stars here and they're absolutely stoked with what South Australia has to offer".
Santos Tour Down Under Race Director, Mike Turtur, said on the eve of the event's 21st birthday, this year's race will represent something special.
"The hill top finish at Willunga Hill holds a very special place in the race and we knew we had to create something big for the 2019 event, delivering something different in terms of the race routes after the amazing race we has last year", said Mike Turtur.
For more information on the 2019 Santos Tour Down Under, visit www.tourdownunder.com.au
