From today people can sign up to ride a Stage of the 2010 Tour Down Under in the Mutual Community Challenge Tour, presented by The Advertiser.
The Mutual Community Challenge Tour - part of the Skoda Breakaway Series recreational ride program - will be held on Stage 4 of the Tour Down Under, from Norwood to Goolwa, on Friday 22 January 2010.
Routes for other stages will be announced in July. Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says the ride is expected to be a tough but rewarding challenge for amateur cycling enthusiasts.
"At 160.5km, it is the longest ever route for the Mutual Community Challenge Tour," Dr Lomax-Smith says.
"Although it will be a test for all those participating, it will also be a beautiful ride from Norwood through the Fleurieu Peninsula to Goolwa. "The Mutual Community Challenge Tour is a great way for cycling fans to be a part of the Tour Down Under and ride the same UCI ProTour route, on the same day, as the world s elite cyclists.
"The local councils of the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters and Goolwa s Alexandrina Council are excited to be hosting this Stage."
The 2010 Mutual Community Challenge Tour has three ride options to suit all skills and experience:
- Option 1: 160.5km* Norwood to Goolwa (start at 6:30am)
- Option 2: 111km Woodside to Goolwa (start at 7:00am)
- Option 3: 35km Milang to Goolwa (start at 9:30am)
*Includes 11km race neutral and 149.5km Tour Down Under race distance
In 2009, the Mutual Community Challenge Tour was the biggest ever ride in Tour Down Under history.
"Participation more than doubled last year, with over 7,000 people riding the route from Burnside Village to Angaston," Dr Lomax-Smith says. "Over a quarter of the riders travelled to South Australia from interstate and overseas to take part - some from as far afield as the USA, Norway, the United Arab Emirates and Japan.
"The event has become an important, and much loved part of the Tour Down Under, and I d encourage all cycling fans to sign up and take part."
From today (9 June) people can register for the Mutual Community Challenge Tour at discounted early bird prices until 31 July 2009.
Early bird fee - Registrations before 5pm, 31 July 2009
- 160.5km Norwood to Goolwa $130
- 111km Woodside to Goolwa $130
- 35km Milang to Goolwa $80
Normal Fee - Registrations from 1 August 2009 until 8 January 2010
- 160.5km Norwood to Goolwa Regular fee - $145 / Members fee - $135
- 111km Woodside to Goolwa Regular fee - $145 / Members fee - $135
- 35km Milang to Goolwa Regular fee - $100 / Members fee - $90
Mutual Community, HBA, UniSA staff and Cycling Australia members are entitled to the members discount fee.
To register for the 2010 Mutual Community Challenge Tour visit the Tour Down Under website www.tourdownunder.com.au.
The 2010 Tour Down Under will be held in Adelaide and regional South Australia from 17-24 January 2010.
