Tour Down Under organisers want to keep January date

The Santos Tour Down Under's place in the international cycling calendar remains uncertain beyond next year, with organisers and fans hoping that the International Cycling Union (UCI) - world cycling’ governing body - does not move the popular event to a later date.

The UCI is considering a proposal to move the start of the World Tour to February from 2017, in order to reduce the gap between races.

The Santos Tour Down Under has traditionally been staged in late January to coincide with warm weather and school holidays, and usually ends before Australia Day.

The race's profile has continued to grow, with the South Australian Government estimating total attendance along the routes over the past week reached 770,000.

Race director Mike Turtur said the current arrangements worked perfectly and he would like to keep them that way.

Turtur told the ABC that the current timing “allows families and people to come to South Australia to experience the race.

"During the summer period, the weather's good here but the most important factor, and the reason we wanted the race in January, was because of the holiday period.

"(It) works really well for us from a business point of view and a tourism point of view, so the UCI will take all that into consideration when they make decisions leading into the future."

Giant-Alpecin Director Addy Engles said there was ample time between the end of the European season and the Tour Down Under.

Eagles told the ABC ''I'm happy with the way it is now. I mean, it's good the break there is between the end of the season and the start here.”

Turtur said the race, which was won this year by local Rohan Dennis, gave opportunities to both sprinters and all-round riders.

The current race licence held by the South Australian Government expires after next year's event. The event currently has oil and gas company Santos as its naming rights sponsor.

19th January 2015 - 2015 SANTOS TOUR DOWN UNDER SET TO BE THE BEST EVER