Extreme heat and fire danger force Santos Tour Down Under organizers to remove the iconic summit finale up Old Willunga Hill and reroute Saturday’s “queen stage” at the WorldTour season opener.
Temperatures nearing 110F degrees and fire danger at red-hot levels prompted race officials to eliminate the famous hilltop finale from the decisive fourth stage, citing an “extreme” fire risk in the Mount Lofty Range.
“While removing the famous Willunga Hill climb disappoints cycling fans, rider and spectator safety remains our event’s number one priority,” TDU race director Stuart O’Grady said Friday. “After consulting emergency services authorities, riders, and the UCI, we agreed to proceed with a modified program for Saturday’s racing.”
Extreme heat and bushfire conditions previously disrupted the Tour Down Under, and organizers stressed rider health and public safety as paramount.
officials consulted with the country Fire service, South Australia Police, riders, and the UCI before removing the race’s most iconic finish.
The stage begins one hour earlier and finishes on High Street in the Willunga township, just before the final ramps of the Tour Down Under’s signature climb.