Arguably the strongest women?s peloton?s ever assembled in Australia will line up in Adelaide this weekend for the inaugural Santos Women?s Tour, the opening event in the 2015 Subaru National Road Series. To be held in conjunction with the Santos Tour Down Under, almost 100 cyclists will be looking to impress as the eyes of the world turn to South Australia. View Entry List ?We have riders from eleven countries taking part in the Santos Women?s Tour, it is by far the best quality field I?ve seen in Australia for a women’s stage race,? said race director Max Stevens. ?To have professional teams Orica-AIS and Wiggle Down Under be a part of the inaugural Santos Women?s Tour is a huge bonus for the event and for the development of the Subaru National Road Series.? International riders such as dual world champion Giorgia BRONZINI (Italy / Wiggle Down Under) and Loes GUNNEWIJK (Netherlands / Orica-AIS) are sure to add some fire-power to the peloton. Australia?s top ranked international cyclist Tiffany CROMWELL (SA / Roxsolt) and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Annette EDMONDSON (SA / Wiggle-Honda) will look to shine in front of their home-town crowds. Making their debut in Australia?s premier domestic road series will be Rochelle GILMORE?s High5 Dream Team featuring two-time Australian criterium national champion Kimberley Wells (ACT) who will spearhead the team in Adelaide. ?We?ll race together for the first time at the Santos Women?s Tour, it?s a really exciting time,? said Wells who won the national criterium title in 2013 and 2015. ?I?d love to be able to post a win in the green and gold stripes for the High5 Dream Team.? The High5 Dream Team will act as a feeder team into the Wiggle Down Under team and provide riders with the education and experience to make a career from cycling on the professional circuit. ?Before the High5 Dream Team there was no clear pathway between a domestic Australian rider to an international rider, without having to take that leap of faith and travel to Europe and pay for that [leap of faith] yourself. ?For Rochelle GILMORE to come in with this concept team is really exciting. ?The NRS is going from strength to strength in the men?s and the women?s races. I?m amazed at how many women?s teams there are now, I?m really excited for cycling in Australia and for women?s cycling as well,? said Wells. Seventeen women?s teams are registered to compete in the 2015 Subaru National Road Series, an increase of three teams from 2014. In a further development for the series, all ten women?s events will have highlights broadcast by the Nine Network?s GEM channel and on Fox Sports, a significant increase of 233% when compared with 2014 broadcast figures. Santos Women?s Tour event details: Stage one – Jayco Road Race Date: Saturday 17 Jan Start: 11am, Woodside Distance: 59km Finish: Murray Bridge (approx 12.40pm) Stage two – Jarvis Subaru Criterium Date: Sunday 18 Jan Start: 5.45pm, East Adelaide Finish: 6.25pm Stage three – Jarvis Subaru Road Race Date: Monday 19 Jan Start: 2pm, Tanunda Distance: 71km Finish: 2pm, Campbelltown Stage four ? Jayco Criterium Date: Tuesday 20 Jan Start: 6.30pm, Victoria Park Distance: 70mins + 1 lap
