SIR MARK CAVENDISH TO JOIN CYCLING’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Sir Mark Cavendish – widely considered the greatest cycling sprinter of all time – will join celebrations at the 25th edition of the Santos Tour Down Under in January.
Cavendish, who in July broke the 48-year record of Eddie Merckx, winning his 35th stage of the Tour de France, will be joined by some of the Santos Tour Down Under greats, including two-time winners André Greipel and Richie Porte, as well Australia’s only Tour de France winner and Santos Tour Down Under stage winner Cadel Evans.
From Britain’s Isle of Man, Cavendish, known as the ‘Manx Missile,’ boasts an incredible list of achievements including:
- A record 35 Tour de France stage wins;
- World Road Race champion;
- Stage wins in all three Grand Tours: the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España;
- Points (sprint) jersey winner in all three Grand Tours;
- Two-time National Road Race champion;
- Olympic silver medallist and Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
The recently retired sprinter competed at the Santos Tour Down Under in 2011 – the same year he claimed the rainbow jersey as World Champion.
Fans will have the opportunity to see the recently retired star at a number of public and corporate events, including at the City of Adelaide Tour Village during team presentation on Friday 17 January, where Sir Mark Cavendish will sign autographs alongside current riders. He will also feature in a hosted Q&A as guest of honour at the Legends’ Night Dinner presented by Telstra.
“I'm incredibly honoured that the Santos Tour Down Under would let me share in the 25th milestone with them. I’ve seen the race grow throughout my career to what it is now and it’s very impressive,” Cavendish said.
“Australia was a destination many times for me as an amateur and professional as a place to both race and train. South Australia has cycling routes that cater to both competition and recreational riding. Hills, coast, vineyards, good coffee. What more could a cyclist want?”
Santos Tour Down Under Race Director Stuart O’Grady OAM said securing Sir Mark Cavendish alongside other Santos Tour Down Under legends including André Greipel, Cadel Evans Richie Porte and Grace Brown offered fans a great opportunity to celebrate the 25th edition of South Australia’s beloved cycling race.
“Mark Cavendish is a true legend of the sport and having someone of his calibre in South Australia adds another tier of excitement for fans,” O’Grady said.
“Mark understands how significant the 2025 event is – not only for recognising the event’s history but also for the quality of riders competing, and the incredible Festival of Cycling happening alongside the main race. He was eager to soak up everything South Australia has to offer, and the weather is much better in SA than the UK in January!”
Today’s announcement marks one month out from the first international team touching down in Adelaide for the 2025 race.
South Australian Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said the 2025 Santos Tour Down Under would again showcase the very best of South Australia.
“With many of the world’s best cyclists competing in the 25th edition of the Santos Tour Down Under, this presents a terrific opportunity to showcase South Australia to the world” Minister Bettison said.
“Having legends of the sport like Mark Cavendish and Cadel Evans attend the event is also a great opportunity for cycling fans to get up close and personal to their idols.”
“This event draws thousands of fans to the streets to enjoy nearly two weeks of high-paced action both in the city and in the state’s stunning regional landscapes.”
“Now, with just over a month until the event, preparations are well and truly charging ahead.”
The 2024 edition of the race injected more than $87 million into South Australia’s economy, with East End traders again set to benefit from the extra activity. Key moments for the East End include the Villawood Men’s Classic racing through East Terrace on Saturday 18 January, as well as the Carpark Climb presented by Wilson Parking and the Vardon Avenue Street Party on Saturday 25 January.
This year’s event will culminate with ‘Super Sunday’ in the Adelaide CBD on 26 January, combining the world’s best female and male cyclists on the same day, in the same location, for the first time. The Schwalbe Women’s One-Day Classic in the CBD will give riders the chance to claim extra Union Cycliste Internationale points before Schwalbe Men’s Stage 6 wraps up the 2025 Santos Tour Down Under.
City of Adelaide Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith AM said city traders could take advantage of the extra activity.
“There’s no question that the Tour Down Under has put Adelaide on the world cycling map.”
“But while there’s phenomenal interest in South Australia across the nine days, Super Sunday puts the spotlight firmly on our city businesses this year, particularly those in the East End.
“The extra foot traffic along our main streets will be looking for the hottest fashion, the tastiest cocktails, and the best places to recover after a day of cycling – and Adelaide has all that and more.”
East End Cellars owner Michael Andrewartha said the Santos Tour Down Under was a great way to boost trade.
“When you have this huge influx of people coming into the city for an event like this, naturally it presents a great chance to increase business,” Mr Andrewartha said.
“We are excited to be able to take advantage of this opportunity.”
The Santos Tour Down Under’s new-look mascot Oppy, a cycling kangaroo, was also revealed this week. Named after legendary Australian rider Hubert Opperman OBE, and boasting his namesake’s fighting spirit and passion for cycling, the refreshed Oppy will be a key feature at next year’s event.
