Prospect and Clare come alive for first day of Tour

All eyes will be on the towns of Prospect and Clare today as they host the first stage of the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under.

Thousands are expected to flock to vantage points along the 149 kilometre race route to watch some of the biggest names in cycling compete in the first stage of the first event on the UCI WorldTour calendar.

Today’s race follows Sunday night’s Down Under Classic, that was held at Rymill Park in the city and saw 112,000 people line the route to watch two-time Santos Tour Down Under winner, Andre Greipel, take the win.

General Manager, Events South Australia, Hitaf Rasheed said Stage One from Prospect to Clare would be a fantastic start to what would no doubt be an exciting week of racing for locals, visitors and viewers across the world.

“Prospect will host a stage start for the first time and have organised a fantastic set of events to celebrate the occasion," said Ms Rasheed. "Locals and visitors alike are expected to cheer the riders as they set out from Prospect and through spectacular scenery on the way to a heroes welcome in Clare.

"Highlights will be broadcast to a global TV audience of millions,” Ms Rasheed says.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to promote South Australia and our events calendar to potential international visitors, boosting future visitation from overseas tourists to our State.

“I would like to thank today’s host councils, the City of Prospect and Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council, for making this a true celebration of cycling," said Ms Rasheed. “I encourage everyone to get down to Prospect this morning to enjoy the fun before the cyclists set off for Clare which is hosting a three day Breakaway Festival.”

TODAY’S RACING ACTION

2012 Santos Tour Down Under Stage 1
Route: Prospect to Clare 
Start: 11.00am 
Finish: 2.54pm approx 
Distance: 149km 
Highlights:   Jayco Sprint #1: Main Street, Kapunda (1.03pm*)
Powerade Hydration Station: Clare Road, Kapunda (1.05pm*)
Škoda King of the Mountain: Kapunda to Tarlee Road, Taylors Run (1.16pm*)
Jayco Sprint #2: Main Street, Riverton (1.48pm*)
*all are approximate times and may change depending on the speed of the race.