Australian cycling officials are waiting for result of review by cycling’s world governing body, the UCI, about race’s ongoing status

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

There is no guarantee the Tour Down Under cycling race will remain in South Australia beyond 2016, the state government says.



The government and Australian cycling officials are sweating on a review by cycling’s world governing body, the UCI, about the ongoing status of the event. SA’s contract to host the Tour Down Under expires after next year’s edition of the race in Adelaide and its surrounds.

The SA sports minister, Leon Bignell, says the government is desperate to keep the race, with the outcome of the UCI review expected in a couple of months.



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“We can’t count our chickens until the review is finalised,’” he told ABC radio on Monday.



Bignell recently met with the UCI president Brian Cookson in Switzerland, about the future of the race which was first held in Adelaide in 1999.

The South Australian opposition has called on the state government to clarify the future of the Tour Down Under. Liberal MP Michelle Lensink says Bignell should explain why it cannot guarantee the state will retain the race.

“Given the minister had just met with the UCI president Brian Cookson in Switzerland, it is concerning he couldn’t guarantee the Tour Down Under will continue,” Lensink said.



The cycling event generates about $50m a year for the state and attracts 40,000 visitors.