Tour Down Under 2021: Australia race cancelled over coronavirus concerns

The 2021 Tour Down Under in Australia has been cancelled because of concerns around the spread of coronavirus.

It will be replaced by a smaller domestic cycling festival in 2021.

“Of course I am disappointed but, given the challenges, our priority needs to be the health and safety of South Australians, our communities, and the international cycling fraternity,” said race director Stuart O’Grady.

“I believe that for one year we can put delivering an international event aside and keep our South Australian heart beating by delivering a new, reimagined event for cyclists and for communities across the nation.”

The arrival of over 400 people making up the international teams proved to be the risk “most difficult to overcome”, according to Hitaf Rasheed, executive director of Events South Australia.

The 11-day Tour Down Under serves as the opening event for the UCI World Tour each year.