Visiting Tasmania for the Spirit of Tasmania Cycling Tour? Join us on the sidelines and cheer on the riders as they take on the four-stage race!
Learn more about how the weekend will run to ensure you arrive in time to find a front-row seat to the action!
Stage 1 Devenport | Friday, February 21
This is the perfect opportunity to experience the Spirit of Tasmania Cycling Tour up close and personal. The short criterium course allows you to move around and catch the action from multiple vantage points. With a variety of food trucks serving pizza, burgers, and more, it's the perfect chance to bring the family, grab a picnic rug, and enjoy an evening of live Friday night cycling action!
- 5.00 pm – Watch the participation race take on the track!
- 6.00 pm – LIVE race action begins for our Women's riders.
- 7.00 pm – The Men's take on the action.
Stage 2 Sheffield | Saturday, February 22
The beginning of the race is going to start fast, but the Union Bridge climb (70km mark), locally known as ‘heartbreak hill' is where the fun is going to kick off. It is a 2.9km climb averaging 9.8%… with ramps of 18+% at both the beginning and the end of the climb. This is where we hope to see the attacking really start and the question is, can a break away form... and keep away from here.
As the riders work their way back into Sheffield, the course is everything but flat. There are two (somewhat) short and punchy hills on the way into Sheffield. We’re excited to see what happens on the Union Bridge climb and then how the race unfolds thereafter. Watching the riders come into Sheffield for the first time will be an interesting battle.
We’re anticipating a breakaway coming through Sheffield, but whether they can stay away after that will be the spectacle to watch. We get to watch the riders come through another two times as they make their way around a local favourite racing loop ’The Nook loop’.
The Nook Loop is a culmination of short punchy hills which is either going to make or break a breakaway.
Spectators can head to the start/finish line on High Street to view of the action, as it also serves as the Bulk Nutrients sprint point where riders will be giving it their all for those crucial extra points! Plus, Black Van Coffee will be on-site to keep you fuelled for a full day of cheering!
- 7.30 am - The Women's riders start the gruelling treck
- 11.15 am – Our PSL Men's riders begin the distance.
- 8.00 am – Watch the participation riders conquer the stage.
Stage 3 Devenport | Saturday, February 22
Why not head out to Bells Parade on River Road, Devonport to see the start ramp and finish action. As river road is quite a narrow road we recommend spectators utilise the space around the start/finish line to enjoy the action.
- 5.00 pm - Our Women's riders take on a sprint to finish the night.
- 6.00 pm – The Men's riders take on the Time Trial
Stage 4 Golden Valley | Sunday, February 23
Spend some time at the start line to catch the riders as they roll out and again as they battle for the Bulk Nutrients Sprint points!
Then the real action is going to happen on the Golden Valley Climb. A 16.29km climb with an average grade of 4.7%. The climb is really made up in two parts, a pacing strategy that is likely to give the locals a slight advantage. It starts off relatively gentle with the first 5.5km at 6%. As the riders work their way out of cow country, through the myrtle forest and slowly gain more elevation, that is when the climb is going to get interesting.
The second half of the climb takes the riders into alpine country, where they are going to have to contest for the steeper slopes as well as whatever the elements decide to throw at them on the day.
We’re hoping for good weather… but this is highland country, so anything could happen!
Can the men beat Richie Porte's time of 33:26? The current women’s leaderboard is topped off at 53:28, which I am sure the women will beat!
And, no need to worry— The Garden Cafe Coffee Co. will be open exclusively for Stage 4!
- 9.00 am - The Women's riders conquer Golden Valley Climb setting the stage for a thrilling hilltop finish
- 1.45 pm – The Men's riders take on the final push to see who takes the crown.
- 8.45 am – Watch the participation race conquer the Golden Valley hills