Tour Down Under route released

Tour Down Under organisers have given details of next year's cycling event, with Clare, north of Adelaide, to get a stage for the first time.

Clare will be the start for stage one, with Auburn, Saddleworth and Riverton also part of the Tour.

Organisers are hoping Tanunda and Hahndorf will become spectator hubs for the first two stages of the event.

The six-stage Tour will run from January 17 to 24.

The South Australian Government estimates this year's race generated almost $40 million for SA economy.

Race director Mike Turtur says 18 councils made bids to host stages next year.

"I think the councils realise the great benefits of the race for the region when it comes into town and I think the past experiences make it high on the agenda," he said.

"They're pretty keen to be involved, so it's great for the race and it's great for them."

The SA Government is trying to attract cyclist Lance Armstrong for next year's race.

More than 750,000 people attended this year's event and the high interest was attributed to Armstrong's presence.

The Government has not said how much it cost to get Armstrong to take part in this year's Tour, but Transport Minister Pat Conlon says his presence generated the greatest international media coverage the state had ever received.

"The investment in getting Lance here, the return on it is obvious," he said.

"I think we had something like a threefold increase in attendance last year."

Mr Turtur says although he is confident Armstrong will return, the Tour can beat this year's record attendance numbers without him.

"The overwhelming feedback we're getting from across the board is that regardless of who is racing next year, the people that came here for the first time to see Armstrong will be coming back regardless, and that's exactly what we wanted to happen," he said.

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Fri 3rd July 2009 - 07:13pm