Stage 4: Burnside Village to Angaston - 143 kms
Riders discover SA's northern heights
Friday 3 January
At this the half-way point of the Tour Down Under, the action is set to heat
up as teams depart from Burnside Village for 143km of fierce racing through some
of the state's most beautiful wine country.
Departing from one of Adelaide's most exclusive shopping precincts, riders will make their way slowly through the suburbs until reaching Gorge Rd, Athelstone, where racing proper will begin.
A favourite with local cyclists, Gorge Rd offers a mix of tight bends and long, sweeping corners and according to insiders the pros will make short, fast work of the twisting climb.
Passing through idyllic Cudlee Creek - a favourite with the state's mountain bike fraternity thanks to its purpose built mountain bike trails - riders will then head on to Gumeracha, home of the world's largest rocking horse.
The rocking horse - also a working toy museum - is a South Australian icon, much like the National Motor Museum just a few minutes up the road in historic Birdwood. The museum houses some of the most desirable cars in the country - from Leo Geoghan's Charger to Twiggy's lime green Lamborghini Muira.
But it's pedal power that will be the main attraction of the day as riders head to the aptly named Mt Pleasant for the first of the sprint stages. Although uphill sprint, expect a blistering pace.
From here riders continue, with the terrain shifting downhill eventually
reaching Williamstown and home of The Whispering Wall, Parra Wirra Recreation
Park and the Williamstown Hotel.
The second sprint stage gets underway here, before riders reach historic Lyndoch - known as the base of the Barossa and an ideal starting point for exploring the region's many wineries and cellar doors.
Passing through some of the most beautiful wine country South Australia has to offer, next on the list for the riders is Tanunda, a wine-lovers paradise and home to a strong German community.
As you'd expect from such heritage, there's plenty of sausage, cake, pickles, chutneys and bread to be found in this thriving local community.
Sadly, racers won't be indulging as Tanunda is also a prelude to Menglers Hill, the stage's only King of the Mountain challenge.
Riders will get some relief after conquering this steep local landmark on
their way to palm fringed Seppeltsfield as a fast descent leads them to Grenock
and Nuriootpa, home of the famous Penfolds Grange Hermitage, before powering
home for the finish at Murray Street in the gracious tree lined town of
Angaston.
Here you'll find more wonderful wines of famous origin, gourmet delicacies from the BV Cheese Company, the award winning Vintners restaurant and many other fine eateries, as well as great views overlooking the valley. Lingering at one of the local pubs after the race will be worthwhile.