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Australias premier international cycling race, the Jacobs Creek Tour Down Under after this weekend is riding high on the back of receiving a South Australian Tourism Award win in the category of Major Events.
Hosted in South Australia, the Jacobs Creek Tour Down Under (JCTDU), now entering its seventh year is Australias own internationally renowned annual cycling race that attracts leading professional European Teams and riders, including Australian Tour de France heroes Stuart OGrady, Robbie McEwen, Brad McGee and sprint winner Baden Cooke.
Australian Major Events is extremely pleased to accept this award, viewing it as recognition by the tourism industry about the importance of major events as tourism attractions.
Leeanne Grantham, General Manager, Australian Major Events said, National and international interest in the Jacobs Creek Tour Down Under continues to grow from year to year, with research confirming that the 2003 event attracted more than 10,800 visitors. This award represents the next significant phase in the event’s growth and stamps further authority on its reputation as a tourism icon.
We want to build on this success and next January, there will be even more support with an increased number of recreational events allowing more amateur cyclists and cycling enthusiasts to participate in this world class event.
The Jacobs Creek Tour Down Under provides international teams with an invaluable opportunity to prepare for the forthcoming European season by competing in a quality lead-in event, styled on major races such as the Tour de France.
The Jacobs Creek Tour Down Under is an internationally-accredited race, endorsed by the world cycling federation, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), generating a total net economic benefit of $12.5 million and the equivalent of 207 full time jobs in South Australia.
In 2004, 96 riders competed in the following teams: AG2R-Prevoyance, Navigators Insurance, Ceramiche Panaria, FDJeux.com, Credit Agricole, Lotto-Domo, QUICK.STEP-Davitamon, Bankgiroloterij, Domina Vacanze as well as Australian composite teams UniSA, United Water (Australian U/23) and Team Australia.
The Jacobs Creek Tour Down Under will be held from 18 23 Janaury 2005 at various locations around South Australia and is owned and managed by Australian Major Events, a division of the South Australian Tourism Commission. For further information visit www.tourdownunder.com.au
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