Fans line the street in last year’s Barossa TDU leg. PHOTO: File
Brendan Simpkins
THE cancelation of the 2021 Tour Down Under (TDU) has delivered a blow to South Australia’s event calendar, with the effects to be felt in the Barossa Valley.
Organisers made the decision to cancel the 22nd instalment of the iconic race citing issues with international border closures and quarantining international teams as reasons for the demise.
The TDU has taken place in South Australia since 1999 and is the most popular cycling event in the southern hemisphere.
Since its inception, the Barossa Valley has been involved with the race.
In 1999 it hosted the penultimate the stage and has continued to be involved almost every year since.
Regional tourism manager (Tourism Barossa) Cathy Wills said the TDU had played a valued role in promoting the region as a tourist destination.
“While in previous years the Tour Down Under has attracted a significant number of day trippers to the Barossa; it is the exposure for the Barossa on an international scale that is highly valued,” she said.
“The event provides another opportunity for the Barossa to be showcased to an engaged international audience and for cycling fans to taste the Barossa lifestyle.”
She noted that the TDU had helped develop the Valley’s reputation as a cyclist-friendly destination for tourists.
However, despite the cancelation, Mrs Wills hoped that other events held in the region could fill the gap left by the TDU.
“While the cancellation of the Tour Down Under will impact visitation to the Barossa, as a region we are fortunate to be delivering the 2021 Barossa Vintage Festival in April,” she said.
“The five-day festival is a key regional event, delivering significant economic benefit to the Barossa and South Australia through increased visitation from intrastate and interstate.
“Next year’s festival will be a community celebration; a silver lining on the region’s road to recovery and an opportunity to support the tourism sector and local community.”
Cycling will still be a fixture in Adelaide and regional SA in January with a smaller, domestic-based festival to take place.
Further details and an event program will be released in due course.
