A huge crowd of more than 7000 cycling enthusiasts will participate in the 10th Bupa Challenge Tour next Friday.
The popular recreational ride, held during the Santos Tour Down Under, will cover 138km from the Parade at Norwood to Tanunda in the Barossa.
A total of 7036 cyclists – including hundreds of international and national visitors, will celebrate the 10th year of the ride.
Nearly 5000 participants will leave from the Parade at 6.30am on Friday, January 20, to challenge themselves on the full distance.
Hundreds of other riders will join the riders on shorter lengths from Gumeracha, Mt Pleasant and Tanunda.
This year’s ride covers the Bupa Stage 4 route of the Santos Tour Down Under, just hours before the professionals tackle the same route.
Cycling fans have the chance to get up close and personal with cycling royalty during the race with five-time Tour de France winner Eddy Merckx, who arrived in Adelaide this morning, competing in the 33km Tanunda to Tanunda stage.
The Belgian cyclist, who is considered the greatest and most successful cyclist of all time, is in South Australia as a special guest of the Santos Tour Down Under.
Santos Tour Down Under Race Director Mike Turtur said it was inspiring so many people would be out there on their bikes celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Bupa Challenge Tour.
“The ride has grown from humble beginnings to become a hugely popular event and a highlight of the Santos Tour Down Under calendar each year,” he said.
“The great thing about this ride is that it doesn’t matter if this is your first time riding in the Bupa Challenge Tour or you are an avid cyclist and have participated in all of them. It’s just about getting on your bike, having a go, having fun with your mates and challenging yourself.”
For this first in the event’s history, entrants in the ŠKODA Breakaway Series’ Bupa Challenge Tour have the chance to tackle two ŠKODA King of the Mountain climbs.
For many people the Bupa Challenge Tour is also an opportunity to give back to the community with abound 500 people “Riding for a Reason” and raising money for the Cancer Council SA in their fight against cancer.
The 2012 Santos Tour Down Under will be held in Adelaide and regional South Australia from 15-22 January 2012. For more information visit www.tourdownunder.com.au
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