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The Tour Down Under is the premier cycling race in Australia. Usually raced over six stages each year, the event sees some of the biggest names in the sport head to the country. It’s raced in South Australia, and the 2021 edition was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.
In 2022, the Tour Down Under is again unable to go ahead in its traditional format as COVID continues to impact international travel and the associated quarantine requirements.
In its place, the 2022 Tour Down Under was replaced with the Santos Festival of Cycling which will be made up of nine days of 25 cycling events between January 21 and 29 in South Australia. These events will include track races, para-cycling BMX, mountain biking, cyclo-cross and a three stage road race for men and women.
2022 Santos Festival of Cycling Road Race Route Men’s
Stage
Route
Distance
Date
Stage 1
Stirling to Lobethal
114.2km
Thursday, January 27
Stage 2
Mount Lofty to Woodside
112.9km
Friday, January 28
Stage 3
McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill
113.2km
Saturday, January 29
2022 Santos Festival of Cycling Road Race Route Women’s
Stage
Route
Distance
Date
Stage 1
Tanunda to Williamstown
85.4km
Sunday, January 23
Stage 2
McLaren Vale to Echunga
85.7km
Monday, January 24
Stage 3
Lobethal to Lobethal
86.9km
Tuesday, January 25
Australia’s Richie Porte won the Tour Down Under the last time it was held in its traditional format in 2020, with a time of 20 hours, 37 minutes and eight seconds. Italy’s Diego Ulissi and Germany’s Simon Geschke rounded out the podium, while reigning back-to-back champion Daryl Impey finished sixth.
