Turtur to play with the big boys!

Mike Turtur, Race Director of the Tour Down Under, has been elected UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) President for the Oceania region.

Mike was elected on 16 November at the UCI Oceania Congress in Adelaide. He takes over from outgoing President Ray Godkin, who had held the role since 1986.

Ray Godkin, who has known Mike Turtur for over 25 years and was his team manager when he won the team pursuit gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games, today praised the appointment.

Team from Oz in!

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith today announced that UniSA – Australia’s national cycling team – will compete in the 2009 Tour Down Under.

“We are delighted that the UniSA team, which will include some of the best Australian road cyclists, will again be competing at the Tour Down Under in January,” Dr Lomax-Smith says.

“The 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.

It is time to book!

Well it is getting very close!

Don't miss the opportunity to see the 7-time Tour de France winner doing what he does best.

Have you booked? Will you miss out?


8 Days 7 Night Package

Join the official AvantiPlus tour operator, The Adventure Collective, for the ultimate Tour Down Under experience. This partnership will guarantee participants within our package not only an exciting eight days at the Tour Down Under, but also the opportunity to win $2500 to spend at any Avantiplus retail outlet, and an exclusive 20% off bike and accessories package. With this tour you can upgrade to include Club Tour (only available until the 25th of November).

3 Days 3 Nights Package

Short on time? Check out The Adventure Collective's Weekend Warrior package for three days and three nights of action and excitement including the Mutual Community Challenge Tour

Daily Package

Our daily Lead Out Tour, aimed at the avid spectator. Each day we will follow the stage and view the race from a number of great vantage points. Includes a gourmet lunch, wine and beer, great sights of Adelaide and its surrounds. All for just $89 per person per day!

The Adventure Collective is a nationally accredited tour operator that can also organise some great pre- and post-event touring opportunities. Why not check out our Kangaroo Island active adventure?

Cycling Medicine Down Under

The Adventure Collective is proud to be a part of an exciting new conference to be held as part of the Tour Down Under.

Cycling Medicine Down Under conference is an event run in parallel with elements of the ProTour world cycling event, The Tour Down Under.

Cycling Medicine Down Under will feature rigorous academic sessions aimed at medical and allied health professionals who have an interest in sports medicine and injury prevention as well as cycling techniques.

Plenary sessions are coupled to discussion groups and practical workshops that will extend participants knowledge and practice of cycling and sports medicine.

Registration includes all sessions conducted by top medical and allied health professionals, elite sportspeople, world-class coaches and motivators.

Registration will also include participation in the Mutual Community Challenge Tour, early morning cycle sessions and time trials. Reserved seats at the Legends dinner are included in the registration.

Also included are conference meals and refreshments, bus transport to venues AND exclusive closing lunch on the private viewing platform at the start/finish line for the finale of the Tour Down Under.

A highlights DVD of the event will be sent to all Cycling Medicine Down Under participants.

2009 TOUR DOWN UNDER ON TRACK

Well the big news in cycling is of course it has been reported that yesterday at the Tour de France a number of teams announced their intention not to renew their UCI ProTour licenses.

The move is effectively a challenge to the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), which four years ago organised the sport around a ProTour circuit featuring cycling's best professional teams.

What does it all mean for the Tour Down Under?

Mike Turtur, Tour Down Under Race Director, says:

“The 2009 Tour Down Under is on track and on schedule.

“Over the past three days we have spoken to the world's elite teams and they are very supportive of our race and plan to be here in 2009.

“The announcement by the ProTour teams is the latest instalment in the four-year-long battle between the ASO, the UCI and teams based in Europe. We wait to see how it will play out in the coming weeks.

“I am confident that the Tour Down Under will remain part of the elite competition calendar and continue to be a major event in world cycling."


We will keep you updated as plans for the 2009 Tour Down Under progress.

Cycling's Prime Time

For cycling fans, July has always been a big month for the sport. Now, this year, more than ever, cycling has hit the mainstream media - big time. Rarely does any sport that doesn't involve a footy get mentioned first off in sports news bulletins. Now, with Cadel Evans likely to be Australia's first winner of the Tour de France, he's gained 'first name only' status with the mainstream media and given cycling a positive media spin.

Anyone watching the Tour de France will also have noticed the advertising campaign for the ... It's not just a 'little' race down under, rather the first race outside Europe to be granted UCI ProTour status, and a rapidly growing event to boot.

Cycling fans may have known about it for years, but now the Tour Down Under is really stepping into the shoes of being a major sporting event for Australia - not just a sentence tacked onto the end of the sports bulletin, but the feature story...

A year to remember

Our partnership with our friends at Avanti will ensure the 09 Tour Down Under is a great success. Through the Avantiplus you will have great opportunities to save simply by booking, why not book and take advantage of the savings and get into your local Avantiplus and get a new bike for the trip.

Where is my closest Avantiplus store?

We have worked hard to put together a good program for the tour seeking out some great CBD accommodation (given the size of the event as a Pro Tour there will be no room for the public at the Hilton).

We have also secured places for you on the Challenge tour which has been caped this year along with a limited number of Club Tour places which include the Legends night dinner. Club Tour sold out last year and we are expecting it to do the same this year. Don't miss out on your opportunity to get up close and personal with the stars, we will ensure you have a great time!

Welcome to the Adventure Collective's Tour Down Under Blog

It's all happening! The Tour de France has kicked off in the northern hemisphere - Aussie Cadel Evans is tipped to win! - and the Tour Down Under 2009 has just been launched in Adelaide, here in the southern hemisphere.

The Adventure Collective has partnered with Avantiplus to ensure you get up close and personal with all the pros Down Under.

This blog will keep you up-to-date with the latest news and happenings in the lead-up to this great event.