Sensational-Adelaide.com

SOUTH Australia has beaten bids from Middle East billionaires, convincing Lance Armstrong to pick next year's Santos Tour Down Under for his farewell to international cycling.

Premier Mike Rann announced yesterday that the seven-time Tour de France winner will again ride in our Tour in January.

Close friend Patrick Jonker said Armstrong had offers from cashed-up Tour of Qatar officials before deciding on SA.

"The Tour of Qatar, they have an unlimited budget," Jonker said.

"They're a bunch of billionaire sheiks and they would have offered him a bucketload of money to race the Tour of Qatar - it's just a few days after the Tour Down Under.

"But you look at the Tour of Qatar and the course is boring. It's sandy, it's dangerous. The attraction for Adelaide, it's a comfortable, safe place to race, not many crashes here. Everything about it, Lance enjoyed."

The significance of Armstrong's return, which will be his final race in the International Cycling Union's ProTour, is expected to generate intense world media interest.

Jonker believes Armstrong chose the Tour Down Under because it was what the Texan had described as "the perfect mini-ProTour stage race".

Armstrong's visit is expected to inject more than $50 million into the state economy.

Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy, who headed SA Tourism Commission when Armstrong first rode in SA, said the deal to get Armstrong back for a third time was significant.

"In his first year with the Tour Down Under, he doubled its economic value," he said. "South Australia is his favourite place in the country. There has never been a better rider, and a lot of people from Australia and overseas will want to come see his last race." Armstrong, 39, said he would "enjoy it as much as I have the first two times."

I will never forget the reception we received in Adelaide when we kicked off the Livestrong global campaign," he said. "I look forward to racing and also checking in on the progress in South Australia."

Premier Mike Rann said the Armstrong coup was "an amazing opportunity for cycling fans across the globe to head to Adelaide and be part of history as Lance competes in his farewell ride as a professional on international soil."

"Lance is a true hero of the sport and we are delighted that he has chosen to ... make his international farewell here," he said.

The cost to taxpayers for Armstrong's visit remains a secret as Mr Rann failed to reveal Armstrong's appearance fee, saying "we have got a certain amount of money for the Tour Down Under, and we are trying to grow the race".

A budget estimates hearing last week revealed Armstrong's appearance fee for the Tour Down Under has been about $2 million each year.

This year, an estimated 39,000 people travelled from interstate and overseas for the race, injecting $41.5 million into the economy.

Race director Mike Turtur said getting Lance back was "a deal of a lifetime".

The Santos Tour Down Under is from January 16-23.

Lance's fee is money well spent in my opinion...

would be nice if they could attract a few more big names

ricecrackers wrote:would be nice if they could attract a few more big names

The vast majority of the non sporting world knows of Lance and no one else.

ricecrackers wrote:would be nice if they could attract a few more big names

Wish granted...

Tyler Farrar to ride in Santos Tour Down Under in 2011
Tom Zed From: AdelaideNow November 10, 2010 7:47AM

AMERICAN cycling star Tyler Farrar will make his Tour Down Under debut next year.

The sprint specialist was this morning announced as the first Garmin-Transitions team member confirmed for the event.

He is the second confirmed rider for the tour, following legend Lance Armstrong's decision last month to make it his last professional race on international soil.

Farrar has had an impressive season, with stage wins in the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana, as well as top-three finishes in some Tour de France stages, despite a broken wrist.

He has also won the Vattenfall Cyclassics in Germany for the past two years.

Race director Mike Turtur said it was great for the tour to have a cyclist of Farrar's calibre.

"I believe he could be the next big threat to international sprinters," he said.

Garmin-Transitions competition director Matt White said the team was proud to bring one of the world's best sprinters to the tour.

"As usual, we will look to animate the race and we're confident that with Tyler and the rest of our squad, we'll do just that," he said.

Garmin-Transitions will officially become Team Garmin-Cervelo in 2011.

The 2011 Santos Tour Down Under will be held in Adelaide and regional South Australia from January 16-23.

More team and rider announcements will be made in coming weeks.

Things just got even better...

Mark Cavendish confirmed for tilt Down Under
Peter Kogoy From: The Australian November 16, 2010 11:23AM

BRITISH cycling superstar and sprint specialist Mark Cavendish, the maestro of the bunch gallop, will compete for the first time at the Santos Tour Down Under in Adelaide in January.

Event organisers confirmed today Cavendish will head to Adelaide with his HTC-Highroad team for the race.

The race will see him go head-to-head for the first time with former team-mate and sprint rival German Andre Greipel, a two-time winner of the Tour Down Under, as well as American sprint ace Tyler Farrar, Belgium's Tom Boonen as well as Adelaide veterans Robbie McEwen and Allan Davis.

The week-long enduro across rural and regional South Australia will also mark Lance Armstrong's last multi-stage race outside of his native United States. Cavendish's pedigree as a sprinter is first class.

The Isle of Man rider, known as the Manx Missile, has won 15 stages of the Tour de France, five stages at the Giro d'Italia, and at this year's Vuelta (Tour of Spain) he won four stages and the overall points jersey.

“It's great that I'll be starting my season at the Santos Tour Down Under,” said Cavendish.

“I have been to Australia six or seven times and I love going there.

“After spending time again there recently at World Championships, I'm eager to get back there for some more racing.”

The HTC roster looks particularly strong, even though several familiar faces will be missing.

Canberra's Michael Rogers has moved across to Team Sky, while Adam Hansen has linked-up with Andre Greipel at Omega Pharma Lotto.

But Cavendish will be able to call on Bathurst's Mark Renshaw as his main lead out man that also includes Tasmania's Matt Goss.

“We will start with a very strong roster and our aim is the overall general classification and stage wins,” HTC sporting director Rolf Aldag said.

“The motivation we get from racing the Santos Tour Down Under is the perfect springboard to the season.”

Santos Tour Down under race director Mike Turtur described Cavendish as : “a precocious talent. When he lets his legs take care of things, there are few in the peloton who can match him.

“Our race in January will give him plenty of chances to show his stuff and gain valuable ranking points at the start of the season,” Turtur said.

“It's going to be great to watch Cavendish and Greipel go head-to-head in Adelaide. They are superb sprinters and it will be fasinating to see who will come out on top.”

Maximus wrote:Things just got even better...

Mark Cavendish confirmed for tilt Down Under
Peter Kogoy From: The Australian November 16, 2010 11:23AM

BRITISH cycling superstar and sprint specialist Mark Cavendish, the maestro of the bunch gallop, will compete for the first time at the Santos Tour Down Under in Adelaide in January.

Event organisers confirmed today Cavendish will head to Adelaide with his HTC-Highroad team for the race.

The race will see him go head-to-head for the first time with former team-mate and sprint rival German Andre Greipel, a two-time winner of the Tour Down Under, as well as American sprint ace Tyler Farrar, Belgium's Tom Boonen as well as Adelaide veterans Robbie McEwen and Allan Davis.

The week-long enduro across rural and regional South Australia will also mark Lance Armstrong's last multi-stage race outside of his native United States. Cavendish's pedigree as a sprinter is first class.

The Isle of Man rider, known as the Manx Missile, has won 15 stages of the Tour de France, five stages at the Giro d'Italia, and at this year's Vuelta (Tour of Spain) he won four stages and the overall points jersey.

“It's great that I'll be starting my season at the Santos Tour Down Under,” said Cavendish.

“I have been to Australia six or seven times and I love going there.

“After spending time again there recently at World Championships, I'm eager to get back there for some more racing.”

The HTC roster looks particularly strong, even though several familiar faces will be missing.

Canberra's Michael Rogers has moved across to Team Sky, while Adam Hansen has linked-up with Andre Greipel at Omega Pharma Lotto.

But Cavendish will be able to call on Bathurst's Mark Renshaw as his main lead out man that also includes Tasmania's Matt Goss.

“We will start with a very strong roster and our aim is the overall general classification and stage wins,” HTC sporting director Rolf Aldag said.

“The motivation we get from racing the Santos Tour Down Under is the perfect springboard to the season.”

Santos Tour Down under race director Mike Turtur described Cavendish as : “a precocious talent. When he lets his legs take care of things, there are few in the peloton who can match him.

“Our race in January will give him plenty of chances to show his stuff and gain valuable ranking points at the start of the season,” Turtur said.

“It's going to be great to watch Cavendish and Greipel go head-to-head in Adelaide. They are superb sprinters and it will be fasinating to see who will come out on top.”

this is big news..given that its basically a sprinters race, to have two world class sprinters going head to head should provide some entertainment - at least for about 3 minutes each day

ricecrackers wrote:provide some entertainment - at least for about 3 minutes each day

life's like that

Our Premier Mike Armstrong (formerly MIke Rann) is training for the Community ride.

http://tourdownunder.com.au/getinvolved ... ospitality

disgraceful in my opinion. there arent many choice locations on Willunga Hill, but now the organizers of this race are trying to cash in by selling prime spots to corporates for $495 a ticket

It will be a big event next year and there's always people looking to cash in when these
events occur. I am sure when the GP was on in Adelaide similar things happened.

ghs wrote:It will be a big event next year and there's always people looking to cash in when these
events occur. I am sure when the GP was on in Adelaide similar things happened.

thats Formula 1. Formula 1 has always been an elitists sport.
Cycling has always prided itself on being a free spectator sport, but the greed of cultureless Aussie organizers has gotten the better

ricecrackers wrote:

ghs wrote:It will be a big event next year and there's always people looking to cash in when these
events occur. I am sure when the GP was on in Adelaide similar things happened.

thats Formula 1. Formula 1 has always been an elitists sport.
Cycling has always prided itself on being a free spectator sport, but the greed of cultureless Aussie organizers has gotten the better

Yep, it's the culturless aussies that are too blame.

I'm surprised you just didnt blame the oil companies.....

To be fair, they are providing a service, not just a view.

What is included?
> Prime viewing location
> A raised marquee with tiered seating
> Trackside viewing
> Gourmet catering
> Premium beer, quality wine, soft drinks and water
> Big screen with live race feed
> Bus transfers to and from Adelaide
> Official Race Programs

Jayco Stage 5
Saturday 22 January 2011
Open from 11:00am 3:00pm
Race time 11:00am 2:20pm
Skoda King of the Mountain rider pass through approximately 1:15pm & 1:50pm

Bus Transfers
The bus departs from the front of the Convention Centre on North Terrace at 9am sharp. The bus will leave from Old Willunga Hill shortly after the winners presentations, at approximately 3pm and return to North Terrace at approximately 5pm.

One of the benefits of the TDU is the fact you can move around and see the race from various perspectives - even moving many KM to a new vantage point. I for one see little benefit in paying $500 for a particular view. Also, i believe this years finish line is at Main Rd, McLaren Vale.