Another green light for Team UniSA-Australia
Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith today (November 19) announced
that UniSA – Australia's national cycling team – will compete in the
2009 Tour Down Under.
"We are delighted that the Team UniSA - Australia, which will
include some of the best Australian road cyclists, will again be
competing at the Tour Down Under in January," Dr Lomax-Smith said.
Sponsored by the University of South Australia, Team UniSA team
attracts a huge local following and has raced in every Tour Down Under
since 2001.
UniSA was included in the 2008 Tour Down Under following a
special permission being granted by the Union Cycliste Internationale's
(UCI) ProTour Council.
In 2008 the Tour Down Under became the first event outside
Europe to join the prestigious UCI ProTour calendar. This
guaranteed that the world's elite ProTour teams would compete at the
event each year.
Following requests from the South Australian Government, the
UCI governing body amended its rules to allow the national team of a
race organiser's country to take part in UCI ProTour events.
"It is great news that the national team will again join the
elite ProTour teams to battle it out for the Tour Down Under's
prestigious ochre jersey," Dr Lomax-Smith said.
UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Høj said the inclusion of
the Australian national team was great news for the team, the
University, and all the local spectators.
"The Tour Down Under continues to be
a great match for UniSA and we are extremely proud to continue to be
part of this world-class event," Professor Peter Høj
said.
"We're looking forward to continuing a long and rewarding
relationship with the Tour Down Under through our sponsorship of the
Australian national team."
Team UniSA Supporters' Club Captain and former Tour Down Under
winner, Patrick Jonker said this year the riders in the national
team have a fantastic opportunity to compete against the legend of
cycling, Lance Armstrong.
"Being a team mate of Lance's in 2000 for the US Postal Service
Pro Cycling team, I can say the riders chosen for the UniSA national
team will be looking forward to riding alongside an absolute
professional," Mr Jonker says.
"It was a coup for the Tour Down Under organisers to secure
Lance who will make his comeback to professional cycling by competing in
the 2009 Tour Down Under."
Details of all teams and riders competing in the 2009 Tour Down
Under will be announced later this year.