The Santos Tour Down Under women's race will make history today as it takes place at the highest level of international competition for the first time.
Ziptrak® Women's Stage 1 will cover 110.4 kilometres between Glenelg and Aldinga, opening the 2023 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Women's WorldTour.
The Santos Tour Down Under women's race was elevated to the highest UCI classification last June, making it the only stage race of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
Young girls aspiring to a career in professional cycling are set to join their heroes on the start line in the heart of Glenelg ahead of the peloton leaving at 11:30am.
In a Santos Tour Down Under first, the women's race will be broadcast by the Seven Network on live, free-to-air television across all stages.
The Santos Tour Down Under women's peloton features UCI Women's WorldTour, Continental and national teams, with today's stage a chance for sprinters to shine.
Two big battles to the line will take place on Main Road in Willunga ahead of the stage finish at Snapper Point around 3pm.
The Santos Tour Down Under women's race has grown steadily since it began as a UCI 2.2 event in 2016.
In 2018 it became the first cycling event in the world to offer women the same prize money as men, joining the UCI ProSeries in 2020.
Fans can also see the competing women's riders and teams in the Team Zone within the City of Adelaide Tour Village for the first time in event history.
Santos Tour Down Under Race Director Stuart O'Grady OAM said today's Santos Tour Down Under stage was a major step forward for female cyclists and teams.
"What a moment! It's so exciting to join our new Assistant Race Directors Annette Edmondson and Carlee Taylor for the Santos Tour Down Under women's race," O'Grady said.
"We are focused on presenting an event at the highest level of competition that provides great opportunities, challenges and coverage of the athletes taking part.
"I expect the women's peloton will receive a great send-off in Glenelg as not only first event of the UCI Women's WorldTour, but also as the first Santos Tour Down Under stage since January 2020."
The Santos Tour Down Under women's race will tackle undulating routes during Singapore Airlines Women's Stage 2 and Let's Go Motorhomes Women's Stage 3, including the infamous Corkscrew Road on Tuesday.
The Santos Tour Down Under is taking place in Adelaide and regional South Australia from 13-22 January 2023. It features nine days of UCI WorldTour men's and women's racing.
Visit tourdownunder.com.au for more.
