A new race route, hosting the Schwalbe Classic in the heart of the City of Adelaide, increased crowds and welcomed 95,000 fans into the CBD. The day delivered action-packed activities for fans and families including the final leg of the Women’s Schwalbe Stage 4, the City of Adelaide Tour Village, Santos Paracycling Wheel Race, Westpac Mini Tour for Kids and Westpac Family Ride.
In the face of testing times for Australians, 779,362 spectators turned out to cheer on the world’s best cyclists as they raced 1,304 kilometres throughout the state. This year’s event attracted 44,801 event-specific visitors from interstate and overseas who travelled to South Australia just for the Santos Tour Down Under, creating 742 full-time equivalent jobs and generating an economic benefit of $66.4 million.
Hitaf Rasheed, Executive Director, Events South Australia said the Santos Tour Down Under is an event that continues to create jobs and drive visitation. She acknowledged that although the catastrophic bushfires impacted overall results slightly, the crowds who turned out for 2020 race were a true testament to their passion for the event and support for South Australian regions.
“In a difficult time for all Australians, we’re really pleased with the outcomes the 2020 event generated. These outcomes should be celebrated by those services and companies who contribute directly to the event. These include hundreds of volunteers, our state emergency services including SAPOL, CFS and SES, our event partners, including our naming rights partner Santos and host councils,” said Ms Rasheed.
“We were proud of the role the Santos Tour Down Under was able to play in a very difficult time for South Australia,” she said.
“The Adelaide Hills region featured in six of the ten road stages, with visitors embracing the message to visit and spend, particularly in affected towns.”
The international television broadcast showcased the Santos Tour Down Under and South Australia to 190 territories across five continents and millions of viewers around the globe. The visibility of the event broadcast was vitally important to show the world that South Australia was open for business during the devastating national bushfires.
Kevin Gallagher, Managing Director and CEO, Santos said that as the naming rights sponsor they were pleased to continue to invest in the Santos Tour Down Under, contributing to a successful event for South Australians.
“Santos was proud to contribute additional support behind the Santos Women’s Tour Down Under to facilitate a national broadcast for the first time, live-streamed on 7plus, while also encouraging the first Santos Paracycling Wheel Race at the 2020 event,” said Mr Gallagher.
“During tough times for our state, the Santos Tour Down Under brought people to SA, created local jobs and provided an important shot in the arm for the local economy,” he said.
“The Santos Tour Down Under is uniquely South Australian and as a South Australian company, Santos looks forward to supporting another edition of the world-class event in 2021.”
The 2021 Santos Tour Down Under is scheduled to be held from 14 – 24 January 2021 with the Santos Women’s Tour Down Under being staged 14 – 17 January 2021.
The Santos Tour Down Under men’s race will start with the Schwalbe Classic on 17 January 2021 and the six stages of road racing will be held 19 – 24 January 2021.
Note: The Santos Tour Down Under is working to deliver a full program for the 2021 race and will monitor the situation as it relates to COVID-19.
Key findings from 2020 Santos Tour Down Under McGregor Tan Market Research Report include:
- 44,801 visitors travelled to South Australia to attend the Santos Tour Down Under (interstate and international).
- 409,726 visitor bed nights generated in Adelaide and regional South Australia in 2020.
- The event generated an economic impact of $66.4 million for South Australia.
- The event created 742 full-time equivalent jobs.
Fast facts:
- The 2020 Santos Tour Down Under delivered international broadcast coverage to 190 territories across the five continents.
- 2020 marked Mike Turtur’s 22nd and final year in charge as Race Director.
- He will be succeeded by Stuart O’Grady, South Australian Cycling and Olympic Champion, and inaugural winner of the Santos Tour Down Under in 1999.
- 2020 saw Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) claim his second overall win in the men’s race, and Ruth Winder (Trek-Segafredo) become the first international and youngest ever winner of the women’s race.
