Riders and teams arrive in Australia ahead of the Tour Down Under

European riders have been enjoying the warmth of the sun on their backs ahead of the Tour Down Under

(Image credit: Twitter/Peter Sagan/Robert Gesink/Carlos Barbero)

published 10 January 17

With the Tour Down Under starting in just seven days time, riders have been arriving in Adelaide, Australia for the opening race of the 2017 season.

Headline act Peter Sagan has been training in South Australia since just after Christmas, but most teams and riders have only arrived in the last couple of days.

>>> Tour Down Under preview: Who can claim 2017's first WorldTour victory?

Riders from LottoNL-Jumbo, Movistar, and Trek-Segafredo are among those getting over the jet lag with training rides along idyllic sandy beaches and clear blue skies.

Once the obligatory photo-ops with kangaroos and koalas are over, the racing will get underway, with plenty of riders in the hunt to prevent Simon Gerrans defending his title and picking up his fifth Tour Down Under win.

>>> Tour Down Under 2017 start list

The first event is the People's Choice Criterium which will take place on Sunday, January 15, with the Tour Down Under itself starting two days later with a 145km stage from Unley to Lyndoch.

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Henry Robertshaw

Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.