Following the success of 2019, the famous Willunga Hill once again played host to the finale of Australia’s Greatest Cycling Race on Be Safe Be Seen Stage 6 in January 2020.
The peloton took on the traditional route from McLaren Vale to Willunga, Aldinga Beach and Tatachilla before tackling two climbs – including the finish – of the notorious Willunga Hill where the winner of the 2020 Santos Tour Down Under... Richie Porte... was crowned.
So, we wanted to take a stroll down memory lane to discover the Hill’s history in the race.
Willunga Hill has been included in the race route as a Subaru King of the Mountain checkpoint for the last 22 years. That’s right, it’s been featured every year since the race’s inception in 1999!
2020 was the ninth time it has been used as a stage finish (it’s been used every year since 2012), but it is only the second time it has been the final stage of the race. We love the excitement it brings to the final day.
For those wondering which great riders have won a stage atop the Hill, it won’t take us long to name them all.
It began with in 2012 with former World Champion Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) who finished the day with a time of 3:45:48.
The following year, Aussie great Simon Gerrans won with ORICA Green Edge thanks to his impressive average speed of 42.004 km/h.
And from 2014 onwards, it’s been Richie Porte, taking the crown, until 2020, when Matthew Holmes from Lotto Soudal pipped Porte at the post.
