Tour Down Under 2013: Coverage index

The 2013 WorldTour season kicks off on January 22-27 with the Tour Down Under in Australia.

The six-stage race takes place in and around the environs of Adelaide, capital city of South Australia. It's summer Down Under, allowing the northern hemisphere professionals to swap the rain and snow of Europe for warm sun to 'ease' their legs into racing.

With all stages within a stone's throw of each other, teams can set up base in a hotel and stay there for the duration of the race with no lengthy transfers.

Stage five once again runs from McLaren Vale to Old Willunga Hill and looks set to decide the overall classification just as it did in 2012. At 151.5km, it's the longest stage of the race and features a 3.1-kilometre climb to the finish line.

Al 18 WorldTour squads plus one wildcard, the UniSA-Australia team, line up to take part in the race on Tuesday, January 22. Each team fields seven riders, bringing the total number of participants to 133.

Last year's TdU winner Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge) wears the number one plate. German sprinter Andre Greipel won three stages last year, and returns to head up the Lotto-Belisol team.

Four British riders have signed up: Andy Fenn (Omega Pharma-QuickStep), Geraint Thomas, Luke Rowe and road race national champion Ian Stannard (Sky).

The stage race is preceded by a one-day criterium, the People's Choice Classic, on Sunday January 20.

Cycling Weekly will be posting online reports and photo galleries from each 2013 Tour Down Under stage, plus news and interviews.

Tour Down Under 2013: Latest news

Simon Gerrans aiming for Ardennes Classics after Down Under stage win

Philippe Gilbert: Happy with improving form at Tour Down Under

Thomas: Huge season ahead on the road

Tour Down Under 2013 start list

Ian Stannard aims for spring classics

Mat Hayman: More motivated than ever

Luke Durbridge does the double in Australian champs

Sky's 2013 Tour Down Under squad announced

Tour Down Under 2013: Race reports

Reports by Sophie Smith

Stage six: Slagter wins overall, Thomas third, Greipel takes final stage

Stage five: Slagter relieves Thomas of overall lead

Stage four: Geraint Thomas avoids crashes to keep lead

Stage three: Geraint Thomas maintains lead, Slagter takes stage

Stage two: Geraint Thomas wins and takes overall lead

Stage one: Andre Greipel wins opener

Andre Greipel wins Down Under Classic

Tour Down Under 2013: Photo galleries

Photos by Graham Watson

Stage six photo gallery

Stage five photo gallery

Stage four photo gallery

Stage three photo gallery

Stage two photo gallery

Stage one photo gallery

People's Choice Classic

TdU team presentation

Tour Down Under 2013: Stages

Stage one, Tuesday January 22, Prospect to Lobethal, 135km

Stage two, Wednesday January 23, Mt Barker to Rostrevor, 116.5km

Stage three, Thursday January 24, Unley to Stirling, 139km

Stage four, Friday January 25, Modbury to Tanunda, 126.5km

Stage five, Saturday January 26, McLaren Vale to Old Willunga Hill, 151.5km

Stage six, Sunday January 27, Adelaide City Council Street Circuit, 90km

Tour Down Under 2013: Teams

Tour Down Under 2013 start list with rider numbers>>

Ag2r La Mondiale

Argos-Shimano

Astana

Blanco

BMC Racing

Cannondale

Euskaltel-Euskadi

FDJ

Garmin-Sharp

Lampre-Merida

Lotto Belisol

Movistar

Omega Pharma-QuickStep

Orica-GreenEdge

RadioShack-Nissan

Saxo-Tinkoff

Sky

UniSA-Australia (wildcard)

Vacansoleil-DCM

Tour Down Under 2013: British riders

Andy Fenn (Omega Pharma-QuickStep)

Luke Rowe (Sky)

Ian Stannard (Sky)

Geraint Thomas (Sky)

Tour Down Under 2013: TV schedule

The Tour Down Under will be shown on satellite and digital channels Sky Sports. In addition to the live coverage listed below, there are several repeated highlights shows throughout the day. Check your electronic programme guide for more details

People's Choice Classic, Sun Jan 20, 12noon, Sky Sports 4

Stage one, Tues Jan 22, 2am, Sky Sports 1 & 1 HD

Stage two, Weds Jan 23, 1.30am, Sky Sports 1 & 1 HD

Stage three, Thurs Jan 24, 2am, Sky Sports 1 & 1 HD

Stage four, Fri Jan 25, 1.30am, Sky Sports 1 & 1 HD

Stage five, Sat Jan 26, 12.30am, Sky Sports 1 & 1 HD

Stage six, Sun Jan 27, 2.30am, Sky Sports 1 & 1 HD

Tour Down Under: Jerseys

Ochre (orange) jersey: Overall race leader

White jersey: King of the mountains leader

Blue jersey: Sprint classification leader

Black jersey: Best young rider

Red jersey: Most aggressive rider

2012 winner Simon Gerrans celebrates

Tour Down Under: Last year's top ten (2012)

1. Simon Gerrans (Aus) GreenEdge

2. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar at same time

3. Tiago Machado (Por) RadioShack-Nissan at 8 secs

4. Michael Rogers (Aus) Sky at 14 secs

5. Rohan Dennis (Aus) UniSA-Australia at 14 secs

6. Jan Bakelants (Bel) RadioShack-Nissan at 16 secs

7. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky at 18 secs

8. Javier Moreno (Spa) Movistar at 23 secs

9. Michael Matthews (Aus) Rabobank at 29 secs

10. Eduard Vorganov (Rus) Katusha at 32 secs

Tour Down Under: Previous winners

2012 Simon Gerrans (Aus) GreenEdge

2011 Cameron Meyer (Aus) Garmin-Cervelo

2010 Andre Greipel (Ger) HTC-Columbia

2009 Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step

2008 Andre Greipel (Ger) High Road

2007 Martin Elmiger (Swi) Ag2r

2006 Simon Gerrans (Aus) Ag2r

2005 Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Liberty Seguros

2004 Patrick Jonker (Aus) UniSA

2003 Mikel Astarloza (Spa) Ag2r

2002 Michael Rogers (Aus) Australia Institute of Sport

2001 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Credit Agricole

2000 Gilles Maignan (Fra) Ag2r

1999 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Credit Agricole  

Related links

UCI WorldTour calendar 2013

Tour Down Under 2012: Coverage index