Willunga Hill and Horseshoe Bay will showcase the Fleurieu in the 2024 Tour Down Under festival of cycling.

The iconic hill climb finish will feature in both the women’s and men’s races, the final stage for the women on Sunday 14 January and Stage 5 for the men on Saturday 20 January.

Port Elliot will host the finish of men’s Stage 4,which starts in Murray Bridge, on Friday 19 January.

The event takes place in Adelaide and regional South Australia from 12-21 January 2024 – featuring nine days of elite racing for men and women.

Cycling fans can enjoy a combined 1,136 kilometres of action across 10 days. 

The women’s race will be in the spotlight on weekend one, kick-starting the racing on Friday 12 January with a fast-paced stage from Hahndorf to Campbelltown.

Last year’s event was heralded a success, with bumper crowds for women’s stages, an expansive global broadcast audience and two Australians claiming the Ochre Leader’s Jersey. 

It saw 216 elite athletes from 27 nationalities competing at the highest level and showcased South Australia to millions around the world.

Businesses in the city and along the race routes also reported strong January trade, with operators from Brighton to Willunga, Victor Harbor to Uraidla welcoming the extra visitors to their regions.

Tour director Stuart O’Grady says the 2024 race routes will test the elite international cyclists like never before. 

“The new race format will see women’s racing held on the first weekend to enable more fans than ever to get out and see elite cyclists in action.

“We made history in 2023 with the first women’s stage race in the southern hemisphere at UCI Women’s WorldTour level. Next year we will see the women racing across the first weekend. 

“We have elevated these stages and hope to give fans even more opportunity to get out and enjoy the highest level of competition.

“The women will also tackle Willunga Hill for the first time, and we hope to see its slopes lined with cheering fans.

“The men will need to give absolutely everything out there on the road in what will be the toughest final weekend in Santos Tour Down Under history. 

“Competition is going to be furious as riders battle it out to secure their place.”

2024 Santos Tour Down Under women’s stages:

Friday 12 January

Ziptrak Stage 1 – Hahndorf to Campbelltown, 92km 

A picturesque start in the main street of Hahndorf will see the women off for their 2024 Santos Tour Down Under. The rolling roads of this stage will prime the peloton for an exciting bunch sprint to the line.

Saturday 13 January

Stage 2 – Glenelg to Stirling, 104km 

After record crowds at last year’s Glenelg start, the Santos Tour Down Under returns to Glenelg beach. The women will travel to Cherry Gardens and through Adelaide’s southern hills before tackling two-and-a-half laps of Stirling in their longest race stage to date. 

Sunday 14 January 

Stage 3 – Adelaide CBD to Willunga Hill, 93km

Riders will cover a range of Adelaide highlights in this stage for the climbers, starting in the city centre before moving to the hills and then along the coast. The finish line awaits atop the famous Willunga Hill – a first for the UCI women’s WorldTour race.

2024 Santos Tour Down Under men’s stages:

Saturday 13 January

Down Under Classic – Adelaide CBD

Fans will have their first chance to watch the men up close across this fast-paced city circuit. Riders will race along Flinders, Wakefield and Pulteney streets and beside the Tour Village in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, with new start and finish locations.

Tuesday 16 January

Ziptrak Stage 1 – Tanunda to Tanunda, 144km 

Returning to the beautiful Barossa for another blistering sprint stage, riders will tackle three laps of the region, travelling through Seppeltsfield, Greenock, Nuriootpa, Angaston and Tanunda.

Wednesday 17 January

Efex Stage 2 – Norwood to Lobethal, 141km 

The Adelaide Hills will be on show in this exciting stage. It will finish with three 35-kilometre loops and three ascents of the Fox Creek Climb – a short but super-steep climb set to be a launchpad for multiple attacks.

Thursday 18 January

Stage 3 – Tea Tree Gully to Campbelltown, 145km 

A new start in Tea Tree Gully will initiate an aggressive stage set to skirt the edge of the Barossa before a speedy finish down Gorge Road and into Campbelltown.

Friday 19 January

Hahn Stage 4 – Murray Bridge to Port Elliot, 136km

Showcasing some of South Australia’s most beautiful regions, this stage will travel from the Murray River, past Lake Alexandrina and into the Langhorne Creek wine region before a first-time finish at Port Elliot’s stunning Horseshoe Bay. 

Saturday 20 January

Stage 5 – Christies Beach to Willunga Hill, 129km

Fan favourite Willunga Hill is making a triumphant return, not once but twice in this stage. After a new start location at Christies Beach, riders will make their way around McLaren Vale before two laps of the district. King of the Mountain points on Willunga Hill are on offer in the first, while the second promises an iconic finish atop Willunga Hill.

Sunday 21 January

Stage 6 – Unley to Mount Lofty, 128km

Mt Lofty returns for the final showdown in what will be the toughest final weekend in Santos Tour Down Under history. It will be time for riders to go all in, and the last chance for general classification contenders to make their move.

Visit tourdownunder.com.au for more information.