Tour Down Under women's event elevates to world's top rating races

Tour Down Under women's race will be a UCI WorldTour event from 2023.

Cycling fans will see elite riders and teams compete in the next Tour Down Under women's race which has been elevated to the top tier as a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) WorldTour event.

South Australia is now home to the country's only UCI Women's WorldTour stage race, granting it the same status as the men's race.

The three-stage women's race will take place on January 15 to 17 next year.

TDU race director Stuart O'Grady will lead the women's event, alongside two assistant race directors – South Australian cycling legends Annette Edmondson and Carlee Taylor.

"To be racing in the WorldTour category alongside the men in January, kickstarting the international season right here in Adelaide is absolutely huge," Mr O'Grady said.

"Moving to the UCI Women's WorldTour means elite teams – who increasingly have male and female rosters – can share resources, and it also reaffirms South Australia as the best place to begin each professional cycling season."

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison (second from left) and Tour Down Under race director Stuart O'Grady announcing the major milestone.

The category elevation meant the international teams and riders taking part in the 2023 TDU women's race will get an increase in coveted season points.

UCI president David Lappartient said the inclusion of TDU in next year's Women's WorldTour will inspire the cycling community across Oceania.

"UCI teams will be eager to secure new-season points and we expect fierce competition as international cycling returns to South Australia in January," he said.

Tour Down Under race director Stuart O'Grady welcomes the category elevation to the women's race.

Announcing the major milestone today, Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said having a place in the UCI Women's WorldTour will attract elite teams and riders to South Australia.

"Elevation to the UCI Women's WorldTour will offer cycling fans another reason to holiday in our state and support its $6.2 billion visitor economy," she said.

In 2018 the TDU women's race was the first cycling event in the world to offer women the same prize money as men.

The TDU women's race maintained its UCI 2.2 status before it joined UCI ProSeries in 2020.

The Tour Down Under confirmed it will return for January 13 to 22, 2023, after a two-year break due to COVID-19.

Routes for the women's race will be launched later this year.