Willunga Stage... 2009 Tour Down Under, international cycling race...  January

2009 Tour Down Under in South Australia, January 18 to 25... 

Book into a Willunga bed and breakfast or unit early...  to ensure your stay for the Tour Down Under...  brightly coloured balloons, streamers and flags...  cheers, whistles and shakers...  stalls, food and wine...  spectacular views of hills, valleys, coastal cliffs and lush green vineyards in fruit...  crystal seas and white sandy beaches...

Willunga Stage is a showcase of some of the best scenery in South Australia.

Good, fast racing and long, straight stretches make viewing easy, and the towns of McLaren Vale, Aldinga and Aldinga Beach also get into the swing of things with Willunga, so there's much to see and do right around the route.

Each summer over 95,000 visitors flock to the region on race day to watch world-class cyclists do battle.

Click here to view the Tour Photo Gallery!

Saturday, January 24, 2009... Stage 5:  Aldinga start/Willunga finish... 148km in total...

Willunga will be the place to be this January!

The excitement is building for the 2009 Tour Down Under and nowhere more so than in Willunga, the host town for the finish of Stage 5 of the race on January 24.

The town is in full swing, which will see performers and live music throughout the day on Willunga Recreation Park oval.

The morning will begin with everyone’s favourite – the Willunga Quarry Market. Take a wander through the market and browse the variety of plants, books, jams and other produce items available. The Willunga Quarry Market is popular at any time but particularly during the Tour Down Under. The market is open from 9am and will run through until about 2.00pm.  Pam Jensen, the manager of the Quarry Market says there are still some sites available for stall holders interested in participating but you will need to get in quick and make sure that you have your own public and product liability insurance. If you are interested phone Pam on 08 8556 2502.

The race proper gets underway at 11am from Snapper Point, Aldinga with the first lap through Willunga expected at 11.30am. To keep everyone occupied in between laps there will be non-stop entertainment, as well as an assortment of food and drinks to keep everyone refreshed.

DON'T miss your chance to see Lance...

Organisers are expecting fantastic crowds this year to cheer on these world class riders including seven time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and our own Stuart O'Grady.

Top viewing spots...

Snapper Point SA Lotteries Sprint, Aldinga... Laps two and three;

Old Willunga Hill, Skoda King of the Mountain... Laps three and four;

Willunga town centre for race finish & presentations.

Stage 5 of the tour starts at Snapper Point, Aldinga at 11 o'clock...

Having passed through Aldinga, riders then travel to McLaren Vale and onto to Willunga and back to Aldinga to complete a lap.  After completing lap 3, riders then complete a circuit of Old Willunga Hill, ride down through Range Road, Penny’s Hill Road and McMurtrie Road TWICE before completing the race in Willunga at about 2.45pm.  Total distance travelled will be just under 150 kilometres.

Programme...

 9.00am-2pm Willunga Quarry Market... Click here for details...

10am-5pm International Festival at Willunga Recreation Park, hosted by City of Onkaparinga.

11.00am Race Start, Aldinga– Lap 1

12.00pm End Lap 1

 1.00pm End Lap 2

 1.40pm Skoda King of the Mountain #1

 2.14pm Skoda King of the Mountain #2

 2.45pm Race Finish followed by presentations in Willunga Town Square, cnr Main Rd & Kell St, Willunga

 http://www.tourdownunder.com.au/2009/?q=S+5+map

Full Programme...

For all stages of the race...  Click www.TourDownUnder.com.au

Parking...

Parking is available at the Willunga High School via Gaffney Road entrance. (All proceeds raised will go towards supporting the school students to attend the National Volley Ball Championships.)

Times: Open 9am. Close 5.30pm.

Cost: $5 per car;  $10 per coach or mini-bus.

Disabled Parking: at Willunga Auto Electrical & Mechanical, Aldinga Rd, Willunga.  Please show your permit to traffic controllers for entry.

For more...

Click on blue "News InaNutshell" menu tab.

Photos...

Click here to view 2005 Tour.

Contacts...

Coordinator for Tour Down Under, Willunga Stage...  Jenni Mitton 8323 8550 / 0411 049 570 or email jmitton8@bigpond.com

Willunga Business & Tourism President... Steve Nye (W) 08 8556 2772 / (H) 08 8556 2248.

Coordinator for Stage 5 (Willunga, McLaren Vale and Aldinga)...  Tracey Hutchison, Onkaparinga Council.

Book your flight to Adelaide, South Australia now... 

Book your flights and your accommodation in Willunga NOW and enjoy Willunga's festival atmosphere... best wines, restaurants, music, country farmers' market and craft markets, history and culture, nearby beaches & National Parks... Willunga the place to be... in January's summer sun... with friends, fun and ice-creams...!!!

Choose a quality Bed and  Breakfast in Willunga...  Only 45 minutes from the new Adelaide International Airport...  or the famous Ghan Train Terminal, or Indian Pacific Train Terminal... Drive from Melbourne along the spectacular Great Ocean Road, Limestone Coast and Fleurieu Way...  and enjoy The Tour Down Under from South Australia's second oldest town, historic Willunga....

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