Unley has once again been offered a start for the Tour Down Under. This will be Thursday 24th January 2013 with a 139 km from King William Rd to Stirling. This must be the long way. This means the Gourmet Gala will gain be held on the evening before the event. This is an opportunity for Unley people to come together to share each other's company at a public event.
From The Eastern Courier July 10th 2012
ReplyDeleteUNLEY businesses and cycling enthusiasts have welcomed news it will host the beginning of a stage in the Tour Down Under.
Unley has been awarded the start of Stage 3 in next year's Tour Down Under on January 24.
Unley joins Prospect, Mt Barker, Modbury and McLaren Vale to host stage starts in the fifteenth Santos Tour Down Under.
The 139km leg from King William Rd in Unley through to Stirling in the Adelaide Hills is expected to draw large crowds.
This year's tour attracted 15,000 people.
It will be the 12th time Unley has hosted part of a stage in the tour.
Cycling enthusiast and Hyde Park Mega Bike worker Graeme Thiessen is looking forward to his second Tour Down Under experience.
"It means business for us," Mr Thiessen said.
"It gets a lot of business.
"It's always great to see people out there and riding their bikes and getting involved."
Unley Mayor Lachlan Clyne said the council was thrilled with the news.
"We are ecstatic," Mr Clyne said.
"It's great for Unley's traders and residents.
"(It's) also great for the council for the international exposure it gets."
Meanwhile, live music, gourmet treats and fine wine will flow again at next year's Unley Gourmet Gala.
For the 12th year, the strip will host the gala to coincide with the Tour Down Under.
This year's event attracted 18,500 people to the road and provided a half-a-million dollar boost to the precinct.
Parisi's co-owner Anthony Parisi said the event always attracted people to King William Rd.
"International people come down to see the riding," Mr Parisi said.
"There's a lot of international visitors."
Mr Parisi said while trade varied on race days, as King William Rd had to be closed off, the Unley Gourmet Gala was a strong opportunity for businesses on the road.
"It's all positive," he said.
The event will be held on January 23, the day before King William Rd hosts the start of Stage 3 in the Tour Down Under.