The stages for the Santos Women’s Tour Down Under have been announced, with 2018’s event taking the world’s fastest females throughout the Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley of South Australia. Commencing on Thursday 11 January 2018, the Santos WTDU will open the UCI racing calendar ahead of the men’s WorldTour event starting on Sunday 14 January.
Townships throughout the hills regions will be treated to three extra days of world-class racing, before the Women’s champion is crowned at the People’s Choice Classic on the Sunday. Upgraded to a UCI 2.1 category event for 2018 – just one level shy of WorldTour status – the four-day race will feature some of the world’s best female teams on South Australia’s roads.
In announcing the Santos WTDU stages, South Australian Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said gaining WorldTour status for the event is an ambition for the race into the future. “It’s fantastic to kick off the year and the UCI International Calendar for 2018 with the Santos Women’s Tour Down Under,” he said.
“With the Women’s race now upgraded to a 2.1 classification, female riders from all over the world have even more reason to join us in January to improve their international ranking.
“The State Government is a huge supporter of women’s sport, from grassroots to the elite level, which is why we’re focusing on growing the Women’s Tour Down Under and working towards achieving WorldTour status for the race.”
Santos WTDU race director Kimberley Conte expects the race route announcement to attract high caliber riders in 2018. “We are really excited about the course we have developed for the 2018 Santos Women’s Tour Down Under and know that it will deliver extremely competitive racing,” she said.
“The new dynamic race format featuring three road stages and a circuit presents a longer and more challenging race. The teams are looking forward to getting back to South Australia to take to the regions not only for pre-event training but world class racing.”
- Stage One – Gumeracha to Gumeracha – Thursday 11 January
- Stage Two – Lyndoch to Mengler’s Hill – Friday 12 January
- Stage Three – Bend Motorsport Park to Hahndorf – Saturday 13 January
- Stage Four – Adelaide Parklands – Sunday 14 January
Heading to the People’s Choice Classic Circuit for a 20-lap finale on Sunday 14 January, the winner of the Santos Women’s Tour Down Under will be crowned at about 6.20pm local time that night.
