Tour Down Under 2019

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Don't think i started a topic for this yet!

Dates for next year are:

Event period and Santos Festival of Cycling: 10-20 January 2019
Santos Women’s Tour Down Under: 10-13 January 2019
People’s Choice Classic: 13 January 2019
Santos Tour Down Under (men’s race): 15-20 January 2019


An interesting announcement that was made during the week was that of Stage 5 on Saturday. Traditionally Saturday has been the Willunga stage, however this year it's been announced as Glenelg to Strathalbyn (via Victor Harbor!). A fair bit of discussion happening around that, with the TDU organisers just saying to wait for further announcements on other stages. Gut feel is that Willunga may host the final stage, which i think would be an *epic* finale. Wait and see i guess!

Saturday has also been announced as the day of the Challenge tour. I reckon this is an excellent move, firstly from the perspective of getting more people involved, but also because it might dampen some of the whinging motorists who appear to be surprised by traffic restrictions needed for the event each and every year.

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Full route announced!

Sunday 13 January 2019: People’s Choice Classic: East End Circuit (51 km)
Tuesday 15 January 2019: Stage 1: North Adelaide to Port Adelaide (132.4 km)
Wednesday 16 January 2019: Stage 2: Norwood to Angaston (149 km)
Thursday 17 January 2019: Stage 3: Lobethal to Uraidla (146.2 km)
Friday 18 January 2019: Stage 4: Unley to Campbelltown (129.2 km)
Saturday 19 January 2019: Stage 5: Glenelg to Strathalbyn (149.5 km)
Sunday 20 January 2019: Be Safe Be Seen MAC Stage 6: McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill (151.5 km)

Probably a little lumpier than previous editions, which isn't a bad thing.

Stage 3 is interesting, as they do a lap of the historic Lobethal GP circuit .. I've been meaning to do that one on the bike.. maybe this is good motivation to go and do it

Willunga finale will be *epic* IMHO.

[norbs]

Have they finished a stage at Port Adelaide before Carlos?

No stage finish in Stirling?

Last stage will be fucking nuts.

[CLP]

Have they finished a stage at Port Adelaide before Carlos?

No stage finish in Stirling?

Last stage will be fucking nuts.

As far as I'm aware, Port Adelaide have had 2 stage starts, but this will be the first time a finish has happened there. Apparently this is in response to the massive turn out last year for the stage start there Once again they ride past the dump though .. clearly showcasing the best of South Australia to the world

No stage finish in Stirling this time around, nor in Lyndoch; both of which have been regular features.

Have to say, I reckon the finale on Willunga Hill is a brilliant move. Already looking forward to that one!

[norbs]

I still have nightmares about getting stuck up the hill. And that was in a press car that had better clearance than the punters.

Pity is is so far out of town or I would ride out and back.

[CLP]

I still have nightmares about getting stuck up the hill. And that was in a press car that had better clearance than the punters.

Pity is is so far out of town or I would ride out and back.

it's not that far out! Especially for someone who has ridden Adelaide to Geelong! :P

I rode out there the last two tours. It's a bit under 70km from my place going the long and more scenic way, including a detour to the start line) (~50km from the Sage Hotel on South Terrace)

https://www.strava.com/activities/838783239

For the last two I've ridden out there and met up with V and a bunch of friends who do a fundraising BBQ.. so if we're doing the same next year and if you wanted to tag along onto that , you'd be most welcome.. Plus we could take a bag up there for you and give you and your bike a lift back.

[CLP]

Not long to go now!!!

A couple of events put on by PACC during the TDU:

Focus CXtwiLITE | Peloton at the Port - Tuesday, 15 January 2019
As part of the wider Peloton at the Port festivities, PACC are putting on a CX race! Apparently the course is a ripper!




Roller Frenzy XI
Always a crowd favourite, Roller Frenzy returns again to the Tour Village.
Perhaps we can make enough noise again to keep the pros awake next door? We've been promised that we won't run out of beer this year.. challenge set?

[CLP]

About a week to go! Who's excited?!

Well Mario Cippolini isn't; who (once again! ) decided that he wouldn't be showing up. Screw him :P

I reckon i saw one of the AG2R La Mondiale riders out and about yesterday while i was enjoying my coffee and cake at Uraidla Sagan has apparently arrived already. Woot!

[norbs]

Blocking this thread for my sanity

[CLP]

doesn't sound like you're Feeling the Rush Norbs :P

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It's here!!!!! well, actually, it's already been here for a few days already as the Womens TDU started during the past week.

V and I rode up to Stirling to see the finish of Stage 3 of the WTDU. Awesome finish it was too. It's really good to see the WTDU get a good turn out of crowds in its own right.

WTDU - Stage 3 - Stirling by cpurczel, on Flickr

WTDU - Stage 3 - Stirling by cpurczel, on Flickr

WTDU - Stage 3 - Stirling by cpurczel, on Flickr

WTDU - Stage 3 - Stirling by cpurczel, on Flickr

WTDU - Stage 3 - Stirling by cpurczel, on Flickr

[norbs]

Nice placement for the finish Carlos.

I am not missing the heat

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I am not missing the heat

Oh go on! you know you miss it just a *little* bit!

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A few from today.
Probably should mention that there will likely be more GoPro images rather than DSLR shots this year.. So if the shots look a bit crap, that might be why (or i'm just taking shite shots )

WTDU Stage 4

G0190871.jpg by cpurczel, on Flickr


WTDU - Stage 4 - Adelaide by cpurczel, on Flickr


WTDU - Stage 4 - Adelaide by cpurczel, on Flickr


WTDU - Stage 4 - Adelaide by cpurczel, on Flickr


WTDU - Stage 4 - Adelaide by cpurczel, on Flickr

TDU Classic

GOPR0928.jpg by cpurczel, on Flickr


TDU Classic - Adelaide by cpurczel, on Flickr


TDU Classic - Adelaide by cpurczel, on Flickr


TDU Classic - Adelaide by cpurczel, on Flickr

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No racing to check out today, so we went out to the Tour Village and listened to an interview with Peter Sagan and Matt Hayman.
With this being Matt Hayman's last pro race, some of us from PACC decided to dress up for the occasion

49810386_10218088341502287_1960173007460630528_n_0800.jpg

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TDU Stage 1
Crazy hot. Garmin was reading ~45 degrees heading up Anstey Hill to get to the Paracombe-Houghton loop.


2019 TDU - Stage 1 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 1 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 1 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 1 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 1 by cpurczel, on Flickr

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TDU Stage 2
Crazy hot again. Though a different crazy hot. Cloud cover meant it was hot *and* humid. About 40 degrees.

These shots are probably all a little bit samey. Not much room to move on Checker Hill!


2019 TDU - Stage 2 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 2 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 2 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 2 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 2 by cpurczel, on Flickr

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TDU Stage 3
Hey, guess what.. it was frickin' hot again :P

Got myself to the Sprint point and the finish loop. Some riders looked to be really struggling today.


2019 TDU - Stage 3 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 3 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 3 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 3 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 3 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 3 by cpurczel, on Flickr

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TDU Stage 4

Much milder conditions today, including a bit of rain early in the day.


2019 TDU - Stage 4 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 4 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 4 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 4 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 4 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 4 by cpurczel, on Flickr

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TDU Stage 5

Milder day again. Clear skies though, which meant the sun was a little fierce later in the day.


2019 TDU - Stage 5 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 5 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 5 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 5 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 5 by cpurczel, on Flickr

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TDU Stage 6

Final day!
near perfect conditions. clear skies, but a light breeze to keep things cool(er).
Actually got the DSLR out, though my lack of practise felt pretty evident.


2019 TDU - Stage 6 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 6 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 6 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 6 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 6 by cpurczel, on Flickr


2019 TDU - Stage 6 by cpurczel, on Flickr