***Last updated 18/04/2023 09:53pm***
NOMINATIONS CLOSE ON APRIL 20TH at 11.30pm ACST
A few need to know things …
- Volunteers – thank you so much for putting up your hands to help out. We are in the midst of working out who we need to do what based on numbers & what gaps we have to fill. Please bear with us we will get back to you in the next few days.
- Tour program is ready right HERE – please have a read before the race day if possible. Note that this year’s riders/start list is not included as nominations are still open.
- Riders must have a flashing red light attached to the rear of your bike when racing. We believe our friends from W.A. may not be aware of this requirement when racing on open roads in S.A.
- Parking at Vinpac for Saturday will have signage to highlight where parking is available & where we must not park/ride/or walk over to – “Vintage” is in full swing & there will be large trucks potentially needing to access McLaren Vintners throughout Saturday. We must stay on the Vinpac side of the facility. Click on the image below as a heads up on where we can park verses not park.
There will be traffic marshalling/signage to make it easy to know where to go. - Stage 2 TT for the 1st kilometre out & back has been resurfaced with a course mix that is a little rough but no potholes – have a look at this in the lead up to the event if you can. We rode it last weekend – it’s not ideal but still ok to race on in our view.
This is the place to come for latest information on the “South Coast Cycling Club Junior Tour” which will be run on April 22nd/23rd 2023. We would like to acknowledge & show our appreciation for the support from The City of Onkaparinga & we look forward to a great event.
This year U13’s will do stages1&2 on Saturday only, U15’s & U17’s all 4 stages over the 2 days and U19’s will be able to do both stages 3&4 on the Sunday.
NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN RIGHT NOW ON ENTRYBOSS HERE
Junior Tour Guide Maps- All Stages – images are below with stage 4 all new for 2023. Click on each map for a larger preview.
GPX FILES for all stages can be downloaded from here … GPX FILES
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS – can you help us ? We have so many jobs to do for the Junior Tour including putting out traffic signs, sign-on duties, bbq cooks & helpers, chaperones for the U13 riders, follow cars, sag wagon, lead cars, helpers to setup/packup etc etc
The beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula in the Southern Vales region amongst the vineyards. in South Australia offers some of the best cycling in Australia and it is alive with spectators and the world’s best cyclists each year during the Tour Down Under. This excitement and atmosphere will be replicated by our junior cyclists during the SCC Junior Tour.
THE TOUR
The tour will be based in the Southern Vales region amongst McLaren Vales Vineyards, the district has fantastic facilities and plenty for the supporting families to do before and after the racing. The courses are all new to previous events with new challenges, but most importantly they remain on the low traffic areas of the State for the conducting of a safe event.
This event, in its 54th year, has a strong history of seeing junior cyclists competing at the highest level in conditions and courses similar to that of the Elite World Tour cyclists. This year has been modelled to give all the juniors a chance to shine with a Road stage, Time trial, another Road Stage and a Hill Climb for each U17 & 15 age and gender groups, U13 will compete on Day 1 only doing the Road & Time trial. U19’s for the first time will be able to race both stages on the Sunday.
This Junior Tour has been a stepping stone for many cyclists who have progressed to represent Australia at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and World Championships. Some have joined an UCI World Tour Team and raced in The Tour de France. These riders form an impressive list of champions and include Alexandra Manly, Annette Edmondson, Alex Edmondson, Miles Scotson, Josh Harrison, Brett Aitken, Stuart O’Grady and Callum Scotson to name a few.
The 2022 Tour included the hill climb stage 4 up the famous Willunga Hill, but this time it’s Wickham’s Hill which some say is just a little harder than Willunga.
McLaren Vale – INFORMATION
McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast – McLaren Vale (mclarenvaleandfleurieucoast.com.au)
ACCOMODATION OPTIONS
Caravans parks within easy reach of the start lines, between 5 – 30 mins drive:
McLaren Vale Lakeside Caravan Park – Top Holiday Park Members
Pink Gum Campground – Onkaparinga River
Onkaparinga… – National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia
For more accommodation options speak to the very friendly staff at the McLaren & Fleurieu Coast visitors centre. Contact information can be found here:
Official Tourism Site: McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast (mclarenvaleandfleurieucoast.com.au)
Family friendly Mclaren Vale – stay ride and Play
McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast – Family Friendly (mclarenvaleandfleurieucoast.com.au)
Cycling – Can’t fit all the family bikes on the car – bike hire available in McLaren Vale
McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Coast – Cycling (mclarenvaleandfleurieucoast.com.au)