Santos Tour Down Under January 16 - 26
Experience Australia's greatest cycling race this January.
An action-packed 11 days of world-class cycling is just the tip of the iceberg, as the Santos Tour Down Under takes you through picturesque country towns and some of Australia’s best wine regions, all bursting with culture, wildlife encounters, exceptional food and wine, and entertainment. Enjoy it as a spectator or ride parts of the course yourself. There's good reason this race was the first outside of Europe to be included in the prestigious UCI World Tour.
Fast facts
- Where: Adelaide and surrounding regions
- When: 16 - 26 January 2020
- Price: $ - Free to watch; Participation ride registration fees from AUD$30
How to get there
The 11-day Santos Festival of Cycling is held throughout Adelaide and South Australia’s regional destinations. Depending on where you are staying, a number of the stages are easily accessible by foot, bike or public transport. If you’re worried about getting to the regional stages, you have the opportunity to book a seat on the Spectator Bus, which leaves from Adelaide’s city centre each day and can take you to the start and finish of the race.
Things to do at the Santos Tour Down Under
Meet the world’s best, Down Under
The world’s best cyclists love starting the pro season in Adelaide, where they are greeted with challenging stages in the beautiful regions of the South Australian capital, as well as the colour and excitement of the City of Adelaide Tour Village in the heart of the city. With a mix of elite international and Australian male and female talent, the Santos Tour Down Under is one of the best races to get up-close-and-personal with the world’s elite cyclists in the opening event of the UCI professional cycling calendar.
Gear up and challenge yourself
The Challenge Tour presented by The Advertiser is the Santos Tour Down Under's annual mass-participation ride and your chance to put yourself to the test. On Friday 24 January 2020, Challenge Tour riders will tackle the same route as the professional riders from Norwood to Murray Bridge in the ultimate test of stamina. With start locations at Norwood, Williamstown, Mt Torrens and Mannum, there's a course to cater for every skill level and you can register as a team or an individual. Participants earn an exclusive Challenge Tour jersey to wear during the ride.
Have dinner with cycling’s best
What does it take to become a cycling legend? The Legends’ Night Dinner is your chance to find out as you get up close and personal with some of the world’s cycling greats, past and present. Settle in for an incredible three-course dining experience accompanied by local wines as you listen to the legends sharing the untold stories of how they rose to the top. Held on the final weekend of the Santos Tour Down Under, it’s the perfect opportunity to wrap up the festival.
Eat, drink and enjoy the race
After a sell-out year, DeTours is back in 2020 offering you the chance to grab your friends and DeTour to the best of the race regions. Bringing food, wine and cycling together as part of the Santos Tour Down Under, the whole day is organised for you, filled with tastings, behind-the-scenes experiences of the race, and scrumptious lunches with fantastic views of the action.
See the sights
Wine, food, and fantastic views and experiences are all on Adelaide’s doorstep. While you’re here, take the opportunity to visit the famous Barossa Valley wine country, see the quaint towns of the Adelaide Hills (which feature heavily in the Santos Women’s Tour Down Under stages), or head beachside on the Fleurieu Peninsula, all about an hour’s drive from Adelaide’s city centre. The Santos Tour Down Under has a range of itineraries to pique your interest while away from the cycling scene.