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

The 2021 Tour Down Under has been cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The Australian stage race was set to be the first race of the 2021 season, and with the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race also called off, WorldTour racing now won't get underway again until February at the earliest.
"Despite best efforts, it is with regret we announce that the Santos Tour Down Under will not go ahead in 2021. Cycling will however still be ever-present in the streets of Adelaide and regional South Australia, with a smaller domestic cycling festival to take its place in January 2021," read the statement from race organisers.
With Australia having recovered from a second coronavirus spike in August, the number of cases now remain low. Inviting hundreds of riders and teams from all over the globe when Europe is currently entering its second wave meant holding the race with WorldTour teams in attendance was always going to be difficult.
>>> Here’s what Chris Froome said to race organisers during the Vuelta a España protest
"We have done all we can to consider how we can deliver it, but unfortunately, in the end, it was the international component, with over 400 people that make up the international teams, that proved to be the most difficult to overcome,” organiser Hitaf Rasheed said.
Retired Australian pro rider Stuart O'Grady was all set for his first year as race director and says he is "devastated" to have to postpone the race.
"Of course I am disappointed, but given the challenges, our priority needs to be the health and safety of South Australians, our communities, and the international cycling fraternity," the 2007 Paris-Roubaix winner said. "I believe that for one year we can put delivering an international event aside, and keep our South Australian heart beating by delivering a new, re-imagined event for cyclists and for communities across the nation."
The Tour Down Under will therefore next be held in 2022 as the WorldTour season opener. For 2021, the season should now begin on February 21 at the UAE Tour, which was the scene of the first coronavirus outbreak in the peloton earlier this year.
The cancelled Australian races will be good news for pros, who will now get a longer off-season. With the Vuelta a España finishing on November 9, there were only 71 days between the end of the Spanish Grand Tour and the start of the Tour Down Under.
Now, riders will have at least 104 days off if they take part in both the Vuelta and the UAE Tour.
Thank you for reading 10 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.
-
-
The 'World's premier gravel event': What is Unbound Gravel and who's racing it
WorldTour roadies, track world champions and MTB Olympians joining thousands of participants, Unbound Gravel has grown to be the world's biggest gravel race.
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Geraint Thomas 'helps a brother out', aiding Mark Cavendish's valedictory Giro d'Italia stage win
Cavendish now has one final Giro stage win. Will he get one final Tour de France equivalent in July?
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Jay Vine is more than a stage hunter and no Willunga works: Five things we learned from the Tour Down Under
The WorldTours are back, and some riders and teams hit the ground running, while others were absent
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Phil Bauhaus outsprints Caleb Ewan to win stage one of Tour Down Under
The German recovered from an earlier crash to beat Caleb Ewan and Michael Matthews in a bunch sprint
By Sophie Smith • Published
-
Alberto Bettiol wins Tour Down Under prologue, Brown claims women's race title
The Italian made the best of dry conditions before the weather turned and says the real race starts tomorrow
By Sophie Smith • Published
-
Tour Down Under 2023: Seven contenders to watch out for
Multiple big names from the men's and women's WorldTour will be beginning the new season in the coming days
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
How to watch the Tour Down Under 2023
Don't miss the first WorldTour race of the season in Australia
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tour Down Under 2023: Route, stages, and startlist guide
Taking a look at all the stages for both the men's and women's Australian race
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Jai Hindley set for ‘fun and aggressive racing’ at the Tour Down Under
Last year’s Giro d’Italia champion plays down his chances of a potential Tour Down Under Victory as he looks ahead to coming months
By Tom Thewlis • 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