25 Historic Moments to Celebrate 25 Years of Australia's Greatest Cycling Race

25 historic moments

From day one the Santos Tour Down Under has been much more than a bike race. Its 1999 arrival captivated the state – showing the beauty of cycling and of South Australia more widely. Now, 25 years on, we reflect on the journey. 

The First Race - 1999

Years of planning and negotiation deliver. The first Santos Tour Down Under delights on debut and is won by South Australia’s own Stuart O’Grady and his French team Credit Agricole.

Rogers stares down disaster - 2002

High drama ensues when Michael Rogers – riding for Italy’s Mapei team – is accidentally knocked over by an official motorbike near the top of Menglers Hill on stage five to Tanunda. Then comes the luckiest of coincidences. Rogers sees a fan whose bike, besides colour, is identical to his own. He sets off and rides 80km to chase down rival Stuart O’Grady and take overall victory.

Contador’s comeback - 2005

Spaniard Alberto Contador makes his professional comeback at the Santos Tour Down Under after recovering from serious illness. His Liberty Seguros team dominates the race and takes the first four places on Willunga Hill during stage five, with teammate and GC leader Luis León Sánchez giving Contador the day’s win. The dual Tour de France champion still considers this triumph one of his greatest achievements in cycling.

Ochre arrives - 2006

In 2006 we swap out the yellow race leader’s jersey used since the Santos Tour Down Under began and instead embrace ochre: a colour synonymous with Australia and its outback heart. This distinctive jersey is worn by the rider with the fastest cumulative time at the end of each stage, and by the overall victor. 

We go pro - 2008

The Santos Tour Down Under becomes the first event outside Europe to join the prestigious UCI ProTour – today the UCI WorldTour – which features the world’s best teams and riders.

Lance lands - 2009

Lance Armstrong makes global news by returning to professional cycling at the Santos Tour Down Under. Huge crowds enjoy the action, with careful strategy ensuring this surge in attendance continues in subsequent years. 

A rainbow appears – 2010

Australian star Cadel Evans competes at the Santos Tour Down Under in the rainbow stripes of world champion. Fans see his aggressive style up close, with highlights including an attack on Willunga Hill alongside Alessandro Valverde, Luis León Sánchez and Peter Sagan.   

Officially named first race of the UCI WorldTour season – 2011

The new UCI WorldTour is launched in place of its predecessor, the UCI ProTour. The Santos Tour Down Under remains the season's opening race: a chance for athletes to leave the northern winter behind and start their year of competition in style.

The big one gets bigger – 2012

Willunga Hill has been a Santos Tour Down Under highlight since the very first edition: a test for even the toughest legs and one notorious for splitting the peloton. In 2012 we step it up. The men make two passes up Willunga Hill, finishing at its top after the second. This new finale is welcomed by fans and continues to feature in the race, with the legendary Richie Porte likening the atmosphere on its slopes to mountaintop passes in the Tour de France.

We farewell a sprint king – 2012

Australian champion Robbie McEwen competes in his final Santos Tour Down Under and is recognised for his remarkable skill. Described by Stuart O’Grady as ‘one of the fastest, most powerful accelerators the planet has ever seen’, McEwen’s achievements include three Tour de France points classifications, and 12 stage victories at the race.  

All stages broadcast live – 2013

Cycling fans celebrate as all men’s stages are broadcast live in Australia for the first time, with Belgian young gun Tom-Jelte Slagter of Blanco Pro Cycling taking ochre.

Cadel conquers Corkscrew – 2014

Cadel Evans returns to the Santos Tour Down Under three years after winning the Tour de France and shows the grit that earned him the title. Most memorable is his victory on stage three, with the Aussie overcoming rivals including Richie Porte on the Corkscrew Road climb at Montacute before a dramatic push to the Campbelltown finish.

It takes a village – 2014

The first Tour Village is established in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga and quickly becomes a go-to destination for fans. It remains the event’s heart: a place to relax, watch the race and be immersed in all things cycling.

Gerrans gets it done (again) – 2016

There’s only one man with four Santos Tour Down Under wins to his name – tenacious Aussie Simon Gerrans. Known as a gentleman on and off the bike, his hard-fought victories inspired all who witnessed them. Gerrans’ path to victory in 2016 included a stellar defence of the race lead on Corkscrew Road.

Our women’s race begins – 2016

A new era dawns. The first edition of the Santos Tour Down Under women’s race is held as a UCI 2.2 event, with Australian Katrin Garfoot – riding for team Orica-AIS – its inaugural winner

The Pocket Rocket ignites – 2017

Caleb Ewan made his Santos Tour Down Under debut with the UniSA–Australia team in 2014, winning his first stage at the race two years later while riding for Orica–GreenEDGE. In 2017 Ewan really unleashed, securing four of six stage wins and the Down Under Classic criterium. ‘He won’t say die and he won’t back out, and that’s what I like about him,’ race director Mike Turtur says of the sprinter.

Greipel the great – 2018

There’s a solid debut – and then there’s Andre Greipel at the 2008 Santos Tour Down Under. He took four of six stage wins and the overall classification, opening a decade of remarkable performances on South Australian roads. A second GC win came in 2010; by 2018 this German powerhouse had notched up a record 18 stage victories. He remains one of the most popular athletes to have starred at the race. 

Prize parity – 2018 

The Santos Tour Down Under becomes the first cycling event in the world to offer women the same prize money as men, a move that makes international headlines. 

A stand-up (and pack-down) guy – 2018

After a long and punishing stage through the Adelaide Hills, Peter Sagan became the first rainbow jersey wearer to win a Santos Tour Down Under stage. Capped off by the day’s win – Sagan could easily have headed straight back to the city. Instead he notices the events operations team hard at work in the 40-degree heat and stops to help pack down equipment before getting on his way. What a guy! 

Richie makes it six – 2019

There’s only one king of Willunga Hill – the softly spoken Richie Porte, who let his emphatic on-road performances do the talking. In 2019 he clinches a record sixth win on the climb, eliciting a roar from the crowd akin to a grand final victory. Whether in a pack, a breakaway or solo, Porte’s power is the stuff of legend.

A hat-trick for Spratty – 2019

Formidable climber Amanda Spratt of team Mitchelton–Scott secures her third consecutive Santos Tour Down Under women’s race victory and becomes the most successful female rider in the event’s history. Highlights from her 2019 campaign include a blistering ascent of Mengler Hill in the Barossa on her way to the stage win. 

Dressed for success – 2020

It’s not just the city that shines as the Santos Tour Down Under rolls out. Communities hosting the race embrace its excitement too – and, since the very beginning, they’ve been part of the Santos Best Dressed Town competition. Prizes are awarded to the best dressed town, private property and commercial or community property, with colourful and creative decorations continuing to dazzle. In 2020 a record 159 nominations are received.

Movin’ on up – 2020

Another year, another milestone! The Santos Tour Down Under women’s race is elevated to the UCI ProSeries – one tier below WorldTour – and won by American Ruth Edwards (née Winder). It’s the first time an international athlete has taken top spot. 

We come full circle – 2020

What a moment. The 2020 Santos Tour Down Under is the last as race director for Mike Turtur, who has been synonymous with the event since day one. We pay tribute to his vision and commitment while also welcoming inaugural winner Stuart O’Grady OAM as Turtur’s successor. 

On top of the world – 2023

After a two-year hiatus due to covid – and back-to-back editions of the domestic Santos Festival of Cycling – the Santos Tour Down Under returns with impact. All eyes are on the women’s race, which is elevated to the UCI Women’s WorldTour and shaped by race director Stuart O’Grady and assistant race directors Annette Edmondson and Carlee Taylor. It becomes the only stage race at this level in the southern hemisphere.