The Santos Tour Down Under starts tomorrow in Australia.
The traditional UCI World Tour season opener starts with a 51km People's Classic race in the East End of Adelaide today.
The race proper starts on January 21st with a 135km stage from Prospect to Lobethal starting at 11am local time. Stage Two is a 116.5km stage from Mt Barker to Rostrevor with Stage Three,a 139km stage from Unley to Stirling.
Stage Four is from Modbury to Tanunda and 126.5km long with Stage Five, a 151.5km stage from McLaren Vale to Old Willunga Hill before the race ends on January 27th in Adelaide with a 90km stage around the City Council Street Circuit.
As always, the race attracts some big names and this year's event is no exception. Phillippe Gilbert leads the BMC team, Andre Greipel goes for Lotto, Andy Schleck for Radio Shack (pictured below), Tyler Farrer for Garmin, JJ Rojas for Movistar, Thomas De Gendt for Vacansoleil, Marcel Kittel for Argos Shimano, whilst Omega Pharma Quick Step have Brit Andy Fenn as their lead man.
Team Sky are also in the race. Their team includes Brits Geraint Thomas (pictured below), British Champion Ian Stannard and Like Rowe as well as Edvald Boasson Hagen, Berni Eisel, Matt Hayman and Chris Sutton.
Sky Sports are showing some of the stages live.
Pictures copyright of Covsupport News Service. Credit CNS/KM