Media response - Santos Tour Down Under

Published on 09 January 2023

Response to Fleurieu Sun.

• Could I also please get a few quotes from Moira or someone at council about why hosting the TDU is good for the district, the importance of hosting the women's stage (why is it historic?), and what they are looking forward to most about the event visiting the district?

Comments attributed to Mayor Moira Were

It’s incredibly exciting to see the return of the Santos Tour Down Under to the City of Onkaparinga, where we’ve hosted an event stage every year since 1999.

We’re thrilled to be hosting a women’s stage for the first time, in what will be the first-ever UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) Women’s WorldTour cycling race in the southern hemisphere. We’ll also be hosting a revamped men’s stage, with the first-ever start at Port Willunga and a fresh finish at High Street, Willunga.

We know the economic benefits Australia’s premier cycling race generates for the region and our packed cafes, wineries and accommodation operators—the most recent Santos Tour Down Under (2020) attracted 44,800 visitors from interstate and overseas, injecting $66.4 million into SA’s economy.

But I’m just as excited about the buzz the event creates in our communities, as spectators line the streets and budding cyclists flock to our scenic roads, inspired by the world’s best.

I encourage everyone to head down to one of our track-side events or to simply find a safe vantage point along the stage routes to catch all the action.

ENDS