Stage 1: Norwood to Mawson Lakes 140 kms
Racing begins
Tuesday 20 January
Stage One of the Tour
Down Under officially begins in Adelaide's cosmopolitan Norwood precinct.
With a vibrant village-like atmosphere, Norwood is renowned for its cafe culture
and abundant choices of multicultural and gourmet cuisine, quality books,
clothing boutiques, music, sports and furniture stores - all only 6km east of
the city centre.
With more than 30 restaurants and cafes to choose from, The Norwood Parade offers endless dining opportunities with plenty of alfresco spots for coffee or leisurely outdoor eating. Choose from Greek, Italian, Thai, Spanish, Nepalese or Indian, or visit the legendary Vari's Italian grocery.
While you're there look out for the Norwood historical walk - a series of plaques in The Parade's footpath detailing the lives of famous folk including author May Gibbs, of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie fame, and Aussie poet CJ Dennis - author of The Sentimental Bloke - who once lived in Norwood.
From Norwood, Pro Tour cyclists will ease through the leafy suburban streets toward northern Adelaide and the official race start at Gepps Cross, just ten minutes drive north of the city.
From here the sea of cyclists will surge north to Mawson Lakes and Elizabeth with a reasonable climb through to One Tree Hill's Main Street for the first sprint of the day - 30.3 kilometres into the stage.
After One Tree Hill the winding 140 km journey continues through the scenic and undulating landscapes of hillside towns Inglewood, Houghton and Forreston.
Two King of the Mountain titles
are up for grabs in the hills region, the first at Gould Creek, 39.5 kms into
the stage and the second at the notorious Checker Hill.
Both are challenging climbs and Checker Hill - a short, sharp ascent - is known to be a sometimes nasty test.
Insiders say that 35-75kms of constant climbing and the sting at the top after Checker Hill make this an important breakaway point of the stage.
Between climbs, the terrain is gradual and the peloton will pass through Chain of Ponds; the site of the former Chain of Ponds township that was razed in the early 1970's to expand the Millbrook reservoir that now provides much of Adelaide's water supply.
Following the Checker Hill challenge there are some reasonable short climbs towards Williamstown - at the foot of the famous Barossa Valley Ranges - but expect a fast descent into the town itself.
From Williamstown the route heads to new inclusion Sandy Creek, where the second Stage One sprint will be fought out, at the 95.6 kms mark.
The small park area of Sandy Creek is surrounded by farmland, vineyards and deep sand mining pits. Established on gently rolling sand dunes, the aptly named park conserves some of the last remaining vegetation of the sandy soil lowlands of the Barossa Valley.
Expect the pace to be steady and
strong, circling back from Sandy Creek on the homeward race journey passes
through the thriving rural township of Gawler - 40 kms north of Adelaide and the
state's oldest country town renowned for its magnificent architecture, wrought
iron and 10 historic hotels.
Reputed to have been the first country town established in South Australia for its ideal position on the road north and to the Murray River, the Town of Gawler was laid out from a plan supplied by Colonel William Light and named after the then Governor of South Australia.
It is now a large bustling community with all the benefits of heritage country town with modern large city facilities.
TV drama fans will recognise much of the surrounding landscape from the internationally acclaimed drama McLeod's Daughters, with sets and properties featured in the show only a short drive away.
Out of Gawler we see a short climb to One Tree Hill Rd before a rapid descent back to One Tree Hill and towards a big fast finish down Main North Road to Mawson Lakes.
Home of UniSA's information technology, engineering and environmental studies programs, Mawson Lakes provides a picturesque backdrop for the deciding home stretch of the day's race.
Get set for a fast finish in this exciting first stage.