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.
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 |
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.
Stage | Route | Distance | Date |
---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 | Tanunda to Tanunda | 150km | Tuesday, January 21 |
Stage 2 | Woodside to Stirling | 135.8km | Wednesday, January 22 |
Stage 3 | Unley to Paracombe | 131km | Thursday, January 23 |
Stage 4 | Norwood to Murray Bridge | 152.8km | Friday, January 24 |
Stage 5 | Glenelg to Victor Harbour | 149.1 km | Saturday, January 25 |
Stage 6 | McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill | 151.5 km | Sunday, January 26 |