Tour Down Under 2024
Excitement began well before the beginning of the race with pre-race music, games, and fun at the Hahndorf Academy. Evelyn Roth's Nylon Zoo was a huge hit with children of all ages letting their imaginations run wild as they flew like birds and fluttered like butterflies in colourful costumes.
In a touching gesture, the entire peloton, fans, and officials commemorated the life of Australian cyclist Melissa Hoskins who died tragically late last year.
A minute’s silence was observed for Hoskins at the Hahndorf start line before Mount Barker Mayor, David Leach waved the flag to get the ninety-four riders underway.
Congratulations to New Zealand track and now road sensation Ally Wollaston who claimed a debut World Tour major prize by taking out the stage win in what was a tight race and thrilling finish in Campbelltown.
“I’m really proud of being patient and backing myself,’’ Ally said.
“Once I committed to the sprint I thought, oh hell, I could actually win this but it wasn’t until the final few metres for sure.”
Ally said she had trained hard in heated settings in New Zealand in a bid to acclimatise before coming to Adelaide and it paid off in the 36C heat.
Racing in the district continued the next day with the Health Partners Women's Stage 2 passing through Meadows and Echunga.
To top it all off, Hahndorf and Echunga were named best dressed towns during the Tour Down Under. Both towns were bursting with Santos Tour Down Under colours – balloons, flags, orange decorated trees, and bikes lining the streets.
Tour Down Under organisers said that it was great to see the marvellous community spirit with everyone getting involved. It was a fantastic start to the Women's races.
📷 Darren Clements Photography
