The long UCI Pro Tour season kicks off this weekend in the wine-growing region near Adelaide, Australia. Not wanting to miss out on any possible points, all of the Pro Tour teams are sending squads down under.
The race starts with the Down Under Classic on Sunday night, a 50km race that primarily serves as warm-up and does not count towards the GC.
The riders rest on Monday, but wake up Tuesday to a 129km stage from Mawson Lakes to Angaston.
The rest of the stages will go as follows:
| Wed. Jan. 23 | Stage 2 | Stirling to Hahndorf | 148 km |
| Thurs. Jan. 24 | Stage 3 | Unley to Victor Harbor | 139 km |
| Fri. Jan. 25 | Stage 4 | Mannum to Strathalbyn | 134 km |
| Sat. Jan. 26 | Stage 5 | Willunga to Willunga | 147 km |
| Sun. Jan. 27 | Stage 6 | Adelaide City Street Circuit | 88 km |
Team CSC leader Stuart O’Grady is a local boy and is considered the favorite for the race. Fellow Aussies Robbie McEwen (Silence-Lotto), Simon Gerrans (Credit Agricole) and Graeme Brown (Rabobank) will likely be gunning for the win as well. International competition includes Philippe Gilbert of Francaise des Jeux, 2007 Tour Down Under winner Martin Elmiger of Ag2r and former world champion Igor Astarloa of Milram.
Tags: 2008 Tour Down Under, Adelaide Australia, Ag2r, Credit Agricole, CSC, Francaise de Jeux, Graeme Brown, Igor Astarloa, Martin Elmiger, Milram, Phillipe Gilbert, Robbie McEwen, Silence-Lotto, Simon Gerrans, Stuart O'Grady, UCI Pro Tour
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