A one-of-a-kind event and the southern hemisphere's biggest cycling race, the Santos Festival of Cycling sees Adelaide become a global stage for the world's best cyclists each year. Athletes from across Australia will descend on our boutique capital and inevitably inspire a legion of visitors and locals eager to give the sport a try. Once a year locals, novices and fitness fanatics alike rescue their bikes from the depths of the garage, squeeze themselves into some form-fitting spandex and take to the impossibly pretty streets of Adelaide as part of our annual cycling fever. But it's not only those on two wheels that get to enjoy the fun. The festival celebrates the best of South Australia with long lunches served up trackside and day trips following the race through the undulating Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale regions - home to award-winning, internationally renowned wine and culinary excellence.
The Festival of Cycling was born from the traditional Santos Tour Down Under, a UCI WorldTour men's professional cycling race that hits the streets of Adelaide and regional South Australia each January. However, with COVID-19 making it more difficult to travel internationally, Adelaide is staging a domestic event this year with a more diverse calendar of attractions.
With so much to see and do in South Australia during the 2022 Santos Festival of Cycling, which takes place from 21 to 29 of January, it's hard to know where to start. Don't sweat, we have taken the peddling out of it with this comprehensive guide to the best events and activations happening throughout this year's festival.
1. Men's and Women's Road Race
The men's and women's road races are the bread and butter of any cycling event. In 2022, the National Road Series race will form three exciting stages that see elite, professional cyclists sweat it out before some iconic backdrops - the race winding through the Barossa, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula. The prize? The Santos Leaders Jersey.
2. Detours presented by Seppeltsfield Road Distillers
This is for the spectators with a gourmet palate. Want to experience the adrenaline of the race and the region around you? The team behind Santos Festival of Cycling and one of South Australia's most iconic wineries - Seppeltsfield - want to bring the best food, gin and wine from across South Australia to you with an itinerary dotted with tastings, vineyard tours, canapes, long luncheons and road race entertainment. In 2022 the detours will take punters through the Adelaide Hills, with stop-offs at Barristers Block and Sidewood Estate, and McLaren Vale
