Tour Down Under 2015: Route stage 1 - Tanunda – Campbelltown

Tuesday, January 20 - The first UCI WorldTour-stage in 2015 covers 132.6 kilometres between Tanunda and Campbelltown. As per usual the Tour Down Under is a stage-race in South Australia, near Adelaide to be precise. Stage 1 is set to be for the sprinters.

Tour Down Under 2015 stage 1: Tanunda – Campbelltown

Tanunda lies approximately 70 kilometres to the north-east of Adelaide. It’s a dry town, once settled by German immigrants. Originally Tanunda is an Aboriginal word, meaning waterhole.

Today’s ride opens with a local circuit of 32 kilometres in and around Tanunda. In edition 2013 the place was arrival town and German André Greipel honoured the settlers be taking the sprint. In 2012 Oscar Freire was fastest.

After leaving Tanunda riders head for Checker Hill, a short yet nasty climb in 1.7 kilometres with maximum grade of 14.2%. On average Checker Hill is 7.9%. When cresting riders have 28.5 kilometres left to the finish line.

Checker Hill was in stage 2 in the 2014 Tour Down Under also, a race won by Diego Ulissi. Only difference being, back then riders climbed the hill from the other side.

The arrival is in Campbelltown, a town of 50.000. The place hosted last edition also, albeit after a ride with a totally different profile. Stage 3 saw Cadel Evans attack at Corkscrew Road, a steep climb close to the finish, and powered to victory.

The route of 2015 fancies the sprinters and since Marcel Kittel is aboard it could mean a German party.

The finish is expected around 2.20 pm (ACST).