- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Tubeless valves
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
news
Peloton passes kangaroo sign (photo - Santos Tour Down Under:Regallo)Bush fires may force Tour Down Under Stage 1 to be cancelled
Bush fires in South Australia could force the cancellation of Tuesday’s opening stage of the Santos Tour Down Under, the first UCI WorldTour race of the season.
Australia has been hit by a heatwave this week, with temperatures hitting 44 degrees Celsius in Adelaide, where the race is based, on Thursday.
That has led to bushfires breaking out close to the route of Stage 1, which runs through the Barossa Valley wine-growing region.
"If it's a no-go zone for the Barossa, it's a no-go zone - simple as that," said race director Mike Turtur, quoted by Reuters.
He said the stage could potentially be cancelled, “depending on the advice from the correct people.”
Turtur added: "Any activity in the region that's deemed to be dangerous to the public, then obviously you can't ask people to go into the area.
"It would be crazy to do that."
The opening stage is unlikely to be influential in terms of the overall standings, and two-time winner and race favourite Simon Gerrans of Orica-GreenEdge said: "You just move onto the second stage, everyone is in the same situation."
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
Latest Comments
- Rendel Harris 3 sec ago
That statement is not borne out by any comparison times between the two on significant Tour or training climbs or time trials, Pogacar is faster...
- Dunnoeither 45 min 35 sec ago
Thankfully no one here lives in a country with a history of colonialism, slavery or a corrupt financial industry (the list goes on)so we can point...
- Mr Blackbird 3 hours 28 min ago
I agree. The officials probably earn a pittance or just get paid expenses. They do what they do for love of the sport. Without them the sport would...
- ubercurmudgeon 2 hours 54 min ago
Those rainbow bands look more like plaid at that speed.
- Hirsute 4 hours 46 min ago
Oxford from Emily Kerr "Anyone know anything about the THIRD major smash up on Iffley Rd in my ward in a year? "
- Miller 6 hours 2 min ago
It may not be as bad as made out but it's not great. In fact it is frustrating because bits of it are actually quite good but it repeatedly does...
- bensynnock 6 hours 46 min ago
There also seems a constant requirement for public consultation about every change to three roads, but I don't remember there being any...
Add new comment
2 comments
Time to remove my sprinters then
Getting my big fat ZERO stick out of retirement for this stage in the fantasy game....