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Talks On Extending Pro-Tour Licence For Santos TDU

29th August 2009

Premier Mike Rann met with UCI President Pat McQuaid in London to discuss the extension of the Santos Tour Down Under’s ProTour license, and the growth of the event.

“The process is now underway for the Santos Tour Down Under to remain in the top league of international cycling – the UCI ProTour,” Mr Rann said.

“The Santos Tour Down Under’s current ProTour licence runs until 2011 and we have now submitted an application to extend this until 2013.

“The growth of the Santos Tour Down Under since it joined the UCI ProTour in 2008 has been immense and I’m hopeful the successful partnership will continue for many years to come.

“Since becoming a ProTour event, the crowd and visitor numbers, levels of media coverage and the economic impact to the State have all increased dramatically.

“Spectator numbers have grown from 357,000 pre-ProTour to 760,500 in 2009.

“Interstate and overseas visitor numbers and the economic benefit to South Australia have more than tripled, with 10,500 visitors and an $11.5million economic impact pre-ProTour in 2007 compared to 36,200 visitors and $39million for the 2009 Tour Down Under.

“The Tour Down Under became the first ProTour event outside cycling’s traditional home of Europe in 2008.

“The Santos Tour Down Under, as the first ProTour event outside Europe, has led the way and now races from other parts of the world are expected to join this elite group in the 2010 season.

“The Santos Tour now holds an enviable position as the first event on the world cycling calendar.

“This has helped us attract some major sporting coups, most notably hosting Lance Armstrong’s return to world cycling in January this year, and Lance and his new Team RadioShack to make their debut in Adelaide in 2010.

“Being part of the UCI ProTour means that the very best teams all compete at our event in Adelaide each January.

“The Santos Tour is very proud to be a UCI ProTour event and we look forward to this relationship continuing for many years to come.”

The submission is before the UCI Licenses Commission. It is expected the Commission will make a decision on a new license through to 2013 within the next month.

The 2010 Tour Down Under will be held in South Australia from 17-24 January 2010. For more information, visit www.tourdownunder.com.au
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