Minor road repairs caused by bushfires needed before Tour Down Under begins
Further work to cut down dangerous or at-risk trees will also take place next week

Minor road repairs will take place next week before the Tour Down Under opens the WorldTour season on January 21, with the women's race beginning on January 16.
The ongoing bushfire crisis has affected Adelaide, South Australia, but the majority of the destruction has been felt by neighbouring states.
Earlier reports said the Cudlee Creek fire destroyed more than 80 homes in the Adelaide Hills region, located just outside the city, with a third of the vines used by the area's wine industry also ruined.
The race is expected to go ahead as planned, with only minor works needed next week to repair the limited damage caused by the fires.
Some sections of road need resurfacing, while dangerous and at-risk trees that could fall onto the course will also be removed next week, race organisers told Cycling Weekly.
>>> Cycling’s hidden under-fuelling epidemic
In a full statement, the Tour Down Under said: "The Santos Tour Down Under have been working closely with Council and DPTI over the last few weeks to assess the areas affected by the bushfires.
"We would like to acknowledge the work that both organisations have done and the efforts they have gone to, to ensure that the roads and the cycling routes are safe for spectators and for the cyclists.
"There is some minor resurfacing of patches of road required, and this will be completed this week. Arborists are working through the trees and cutting and clearing our dangerous or at-risk trees, shrubs and bushes.
"We are fortunate to have such a motivated group of people, both from Council, Government, corporates and our fans who love the Santos Tour Down Under so much."
As the first WorldTour event of the year, a number of teams will be debuting their new signings, with Deceuninck - Quick-Step's Sam Bennett set to compete for stage wins, while Ineos' Rohan Dennis will look to secure his second overall victory at the Australian stage race.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
New Trek Madone literally blows a hole in bike design with radical shapes that make it faster, lighter and more comfortable
US brand's redesigned aero race bike swaps the IsoSpeed decouplers for a hole called 'IsoFlow'
By Luke Friend • Published
-
Kristen Faulkner blasts to Giro Donne opening stage victory
The American won the short time trial to take her first maglia rosa ahead of BikeExchange-Jayco team mate Georgia Baker
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Porte and Dennis to ride Santos Festival of Cycling 2022
Confirmed teams and riders taking part in the 2022 Santos Festival of Cycling (January 23-29)
By Cycling Weekly • Published
-
The Tour Down Under will not be taking place in 2022
The race will be replaced once again by the 'Santos Festival of Cycling' as border closures and quarantine rules continue
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Richie Porte wins up Willunga Hill as Sarah Gigante smashes QOM at Santos Festival of Cycling
It may not be a regular Tour Down Under, but some things remain the same
By Jonny Long • Published
-
How to watch the Santos Festival of Cycling 2021: Live stream all the action from the Australian stage race
The Santos Festival of Cycling 2021 is a unique opportunity for Australian pros to compete in a domestic stage race - here’s how you can live stream this year’s event.
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Tour Down Under 2021 cancelled due to coronavirus concerns
The first WorldTour event of next year has been called off as the global pandemic rumbles on
By Jonny Long • Published
-
Tour Down Under 2021 teeters on edge of cancellation due to Covid-19
Race organisers expect to make a decision about the viability of the January event next week
By Jonny Long • Published
-
Five things we learned from the Tour Down Under 2020
The first WorldTour race of the season is done and dusted
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Richie Porte obliterated the Willunga Hill KoM - here's how his ride compares to previous years
The Tasmanian knocked 30 seconds off his previous best time on the climb
By Jonny Long • Published