17 Oct 2024

Anna Meares OAM Returns to Adelaide to lead the Santos Tour Down Under Family Ride

After leading the Australian Olympic team as Chef de Mission Anna Meares OAM has announced she will return to Adelaide as the ambassador for the Santos Tour Down Under, Health Partners Family Ride in 2025.

The Santos Tour Down Under broadcast panellist and former Olympic cycling gold medallist will hit the track with her two children, 4-year-old Evelyn, and 3-year-old Bill, when the Health Partners Family Ride takes place in Adelaide’s East End ahead of the Men’s Classic on Saturday 18 January. 

The Santos Tour Down Under festival line up was announced in Adelaide today, featuring street parties, live music and family fun, as Australia’s greatest cycling race gears up to celebrate 25 years in 2025. 

Cult DJ icon Hot Dub Time Machine – who has previously played at the likes of Coachella and Tomorrowland – will kickstart the Team Presentation celebrations with a free concert on the opening night of the event. Adelaide will be a hive of activity with the brand-new East End Street Party on Saturday 25 January, as the Schwalbe Stage Six returns to the city for the first time in seven years.  

South Australian Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said the 2025 Santos Tour Down Under festival would be a special edition of the event, one not to miss.  

“We know that no one does events like us here in South Australia, and this year we will raise the bar again to celebrate 25 years of this great race,” Minister Bettison said. 

“The Santos Tour Down Under is a world class cycling race, but the festival that supports it, is what makes the Santos Tour Down Under such a unique visitor experience. There truly is something for everyone, from cycling fans, families looking for school holiday activities, to those wanting to soak up the South Australian sunshine and enjoy the festival atmosphere, there is nowhere else in Australia to be this January.” 

Cycling Commentator and Family Day Ambassador Anna Meares OAM said she was looking forward to returning to the event for its 25th year to ride with her family.  

“The Santos Tour Down Under has been a key part of mine, and my family’s, summer for a long time now,” Meares said.  

“My kids rode in the Health Partners family ride last year at the Santos Tour Down Under and absolutely loved being able to ride on a closed circuit in front of the crowd. I can’t wait to share that experience with them again in January and encourage all families to dust off their bikes and enjoy some cycling fun in Adelaide this summer.” 

The festival hub, known as the City of Adelaide Tour Village, will pop-up again in Adelaide’s Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga and feature the race live on the big screen, bars with daily happy hour, along with the return of the Health Partners Recovery Zone, and a dedicated Santos Tour Down Under display. 

Fans can also expect daily panel discussions with riders and former greats, including the opportunity to see 18-time Santos Tour Down Under stage winner Andre Greipel, the only Australian to ever win the Tour De France Cadel Evans, and undisputed King of Willunga Hill Richie Porte, who will all return to Adelaide in celebration of the event’s 25th year. They will be joined by other VIP’s when the Legend’s Night dinner, presented by Telstra returns after a five-year hiatus. 

New domestic cycling competition, ProVelo Super League, will kick off its inaugural event in Adelaide with an action packed three days of racing. It provides a fantastic opportunity for our cycling community to support domestic cycling while enjoying all the amazing offerings in South Australia.  

Cycling enthusiasts will also have unprecedented access to the women’s and men’s WorldTour teams, with the opportunity to meet the riders on Team Presentation night, walk through the Team Zones, watch the mechanics in action, and meet and greet their favourite cyclists.  

The largest bike expo in the southern hemisphere will also return to the City of Adelaide Tour Village, showcasing the latest technology and brands in cycling. 

Other community friendly events that will be taking place include the Glenelg Ice Cream Festival, the Stirling Spin and multiple events throughout Adelaide’s regions alongside the race stage starts and finish lines. 

Explore the full Festival of Cycling Program here 

 

The Santos Tour Down Under is part of the UCI World Tour

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