Tour Down Under licence extended

The Tour Down Under will continue to open the World Tour after being granted a four-year extension of its licence from the Union Cycliste Internationale.

Regarded as South Australia's premier sporting event, the Tour Down Under was the first non-European event to join the UCI ProTour in 2008.
UCI President Pat McQuaid welcomed the decision, highlighting what he called "the impressive development of Australian cycling, which has an excellent ambassador in Cadel Evans, World Champion 2009 and winner of the Tour de France this year.
Australian cyclists Stuart O'Grady (twice), Michael Rogers, Patrick Jonker, Simon Gerrans, Allan Davis and Cameron Meyer have been past winners of the tour.
German star Andre Griepel has been the most successful overseas rider, winning the race in 2008 and 2010.
The 2011 Tour Down Under will run from January 15-22.