Down Under Classic

{{short description|Australian one-day road cycling criterium race}}

{{Infobox cycling race

| name = Down Under Classic

| current_event =

| image = People's Choice Classic 2015.jpg

| image_caption = People's Choice Classic 2015

| date = January

| region = Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

| discipline = Road

| competition = One-day

| type = Criterium

| organiser = Events South Australia

| director = Michael Turtur

| first = {{start date|2006}}

| number = 17 (as of 2024)

| last =

| firstwinner = {{flagathlete|Robbie McEwen|AUS}}

| mostwins = {{nowrap|{{flagathlete|Caleb Ewan|AUS}} (5 wins)}}

| mostrecent = {{flagathlete|Jhonatan Narváez|ECU}}

}}

The Down Under Classic (currently known as the Villawood Men's Classic, and previously known as the Schwalbe Classic, People's Choice Classic, and Cancer Council Helpline Classic for sponsorship reasons), is a criterium around Rymill Park in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. It precedes the Tour Down Under.

History

Since the very first Tour Down Under in 1999, there has been a history of city-based circuit racing in Adelaide. For several years the Tour Down Under featured a race around the East End of Adelaide and through the centre of Adelaide around King William Street.

The Down Under Classic was developed to retain a cycling race in the city from 2006 due to rules preventing the number of small circuit races in a multi-day stage race.

Caleb Ewan is the most successful cyclist in the race with five wins.

Location

The Down Under Classic has traditionally raced around Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka in the East End, however it has been relocated over the years.

In 2014, the race was moved to a circuit around Victoria Drive and the River Torrens, north of the University of Adelaide.{{cite web |title=People's Choice Classic |url=http://www.tourdownunder.com.au/peoples-choice-classic.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125190023/http://www.tourdownunder.com.au/peoples-choice-classic.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 January 2014 |website=People's Choice Classic |publisher=Tour Down Under |access-date=21 April 2019}}

In 2017, it moved slightly south from Rymill Park to King Rodney Park/Ityamai-itpina before returning to its traditional configuration in 2019.

In 2020, it moved into the centre of Adelaide racing through main boulevards including Wakefield Street, Flinders Street and Victoria Square.{{cite web |title=Schwalbe Classic |url=https://tourdownunder.com.au/race/mens/stages/classic |website=Tour Down Under |access-date=2 February 2020}}

Format

The Down Under Classic is typically 'raced to distance'. For instance, in 2017 the race was 50.6 kilometres, or 22 laps of the King Rodney Park circuit.{{cite web |title=2017 People's Choice Classic map |url=http://www.tourdownunder.com.au/~/media/tdu/files/event%20files/stages/maps/2017%20event/powerade%20and%20hansgrohe/tdu_2017_classic%20map_lr_final.ashx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102063027/http://www.tourdownunder.com.au/~/media/tdu/files/event%20files/stages/maps/2017%20event/powerade%20and%20hansgrohe/tdu_2017_classic%20map_lr_final.ashx |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 January 2017 |website=Tour Down Under |access-date=21 April 2019}}

In 2019, the format was changed to be time-certain, meaning the race lasted for exactly one hour and one lap.{{cite web |title=Down Under Classic |url=https://tourdownunder.com.au/race/mens/stages/classic |website=Tour Down Under |access-date=21 April 2019}} This reverted to the full-distance format in 2020.

Prizes

The Down Under Classic does not count towards time or points of the Tour Down Under and, while promoted as part of the Tour Down Under 'festival' alongside the men's and women's races, is a distinctly separate race.

Instead, riders compete for prize money, with four sprint primes and the finish line prize all offering up the opportunity to obtain financial reward.

The winner of the Down Under Classic is awarded a victor's jersey, which often presents in the colours of the event sponsor. Under Cancer Council sponsorship the jersey was blue and yellow, People's Choice was green and white (until 2018) and in 2019 the jersey was red, owing to SouthAustralia.com support.

Results

Year !1st place	Team !2nd place	Team !3rd place	Team
class=wikitable
2006 \|{{flagathlete\|Robbie McEwen\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|LTB\|2006}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Daniele Colli\|ITA}}	{{UCI team code\|CAN\|2007}}	{{flagathlete\|Simone Cadamuro\|ITA}}	{{UCI team code\|MRM\|2006}}
2007 \|{{flagathlete\|Mark Renshaw\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|C.A\|2007}}	{{flagathlete\|Hilton Clarke\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|NIC\|2007}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Simon Clarke\|AUS}}	SouthAustralia.com–AIS
2008 \|{{flagathlete\|André Greipel\|GER}}	{{UCI team code\|THR\|2008a}}	{{flagathlete\|Mark Renshaw\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|C.A\|2008}}	{{flagathlete\|Robbie McEwen\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|LTB\|2008}}
2009 \|{{flagathlete\|Robbie McEwen\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|KAT\|2009}}	{{flagathlete\|Wim Stroetinga\|NED}}	{{UCI team code\|MRM\|2009}}	{{flagathlete\|Graeme Brown\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|RAB\|2009}}
2010 \|{{nowrap\|{{flagathlete\|Greg Henderson\|NZL}}}}	{{UCI team code\|SKY\|2010}}	{{flagathlete\|Chris Sutton\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|SKY\|2010}}	{{flagathlete\|André Greipel\|GER}}	{{UCI team code\|THR\|2010}}
2011 \|{{flagathlete\|Matthew Goss\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|THR\|2011}}	{{flagathlete\|Mark Renshaw\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|THR\|2011}}	{{flagathlete\|Robbie McEwen\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|RSH\|2011}}
2012 \|{{flagathlete\|André Greipel\|GER}}	{{UCI team code\|LTB\|2012}}	{{nowrap\|{{flagathlete\|Edvald Boasson Hagen\|NOR}}}}	{{UCI team code\|SKY\|2012}}	{{flagathlete\|Heinrich Haussler\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|GRS\|2012a}}
2013 \|{{flagathlete\|André Greipel\|GER}}	{{UCI team code\|LTB\|2013}}	{{flagathlete\|Matthew Goss\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|OBE\|2013}}}}	{{nowrap\|{{flagathlete\|Greg Henderson\|NZL}}}}	{{UCI team code\|LTB\|2013}}
2014	{{flagathlete\|Marcel Kittel\|GER}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|GIA\|2014}}}}	{{flagathlete\|André Greipel\|GER}}	{{UCI team code\|LTB\|2014}}	{{flagathlete\|Caleb Ewan\|AUS}}	UniSA–Australia
2015	{{flagathlete\|Marcel Kittel\|GER}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|GIA\|2015}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Juan José Lobato\|ESP}}	{{UCI team code\|MOV\|2015}}	{{flagathlete\|Wouter Wippert\|NED}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|DPC\|2015}}}}
2016	{{flagathlete\|Caleb Ewan\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|OBE\|2016a}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Giacomo Nizzolo\|ITA}}	{{UCI team code\|TFR\|2016}}	{{flagathlete\|Adam Blythe\|GBR}}	{{UCI team code\|TTS\|2016}}
2017	{{flagathlete\|Caleb Ewan\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|OBE\|2017}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Sam Bennett\|IRL}}	{{UCI team code\|APP\|2017}}	{{flagathlete\|Peter Sagan\|SVK}}	{{UCI team code\|APP\|2017}}
2018	{{flagathlete\|Peter Sagan\|SVK}}	{{UCI team code\|APP\|2018}}	{{flagathlete\|André Greipel\|GER}}	{{UCI team code\|LTB\|2018}}	{{flagathlete\|Caleb Ewan\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|OBE\|2018}}}}
2019	{{flagathlete\|Caleb Ewan\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|LTB\|2019}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Peter Sagan\|SVK}}	{{UCI team code\|APP\|2019}}	{{nowrap\|{{flagathlete\|Alex Edmondson\|AUS}}}}	{{UCI team code\|OBE\|2019}}
2020	{{flagathlete\|Caleb Ewan\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|LTS\|2020}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Elia Viviani\|ITA}}	{{UCI team code\|COF\|2020}}	{{nowrap\|{{flagathlete\|Simone Consonni\|ITA}}}}	{{UCI team code\|COF\|2020}}
2023	{{flagathlete\|Caleb Ewan\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|LTS\|2023}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Jordi Meeus\|BEL}}	{{UCI team code\|BOH\|2023}}	{{nowrap\|{{flagathlete\|Kaden Groves\|AUS}}}}	{{UCI team code\|AFC\|2023}}
2024	{{flagathlete\|Jhonatan Narváez\|ECU}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|IGD\|2024}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Natnael Tesfatsion\|ERI}}	{{UCI team code\|TFS\|2024}}	{{nowrap\|{{flagathlete\|Isaac del Toro\|MEX}}}}	{{UCI team code\|UAD\|2024}}
2025	{{flagathlete\|Sam Welsford\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|RBH\|2025}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Henri Uhlig\|GER}}	{{UCI team code\|ADC\|2025}}	{{nowrap\|{{flagathlete\|Matthew Brennan\|GBR}}}}	{{UCI team code\|TVL\|2025}}

References

[http://www.dewielersite.net/db2/wielersite/wedstrijdfiche.php?wedstrijdid=7993 Cycling Archives]

External links

{{official website|http://www.tourdownunder.com.au/peoples-choice-classic.htm}}

Category:Cycle races in Australia

Category:Sports competitions in Adelaide

Category:Recurring sporting events established in 2006

Category:Men's road bicycle races

Category:2006 establishments in Australia

Category:Tour Down Under

Year !1st place	Team !2nd place	Team !3rd place	Team
class=wikitable
2006 \|{{flagathlete\|Robbie McEwen\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|LTB\|2006}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Daniele Colli\|ITA}}	{{UCI team code\|CAN\|2007}}	{{flagathlete\|Simone Cadamuro\|ITA}}	{{UCI team code\|MRM\|2006}}
2007 \|{{flagathlete\|Mark Renshaw\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|C.A\|2007}}	{{flagathlete\|Hilton Clarke\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|NIC\|2007}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Simon Clarke\|AUS}}	SouthAustralia.com–AIS
2008 \|{{flagathlete\|André Greipel\|GER}}	{{UCI team code\|THR\|2008a}}	{{flagathlete\|Mark Renshaw\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|C.A\|2008}}	{{flagathlete\|Robbie McEwen\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|LTB\|2008}}
2009 \|{{flagathlete\|Robbie McEwen\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|KAT\|2009}}	{{flagathlete\|Wim Stroetinga\|NED}}	{{UCI team code\|MRM\|2009}}	{{flagathlete\|Graeme Brown\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|RAB\|2009}}
2010 \|{{nowrap\|{{flagathlete\|Greg Henderson\|NZL}}}}	{{UCI team code\|SKY\|2010}}	{{flagathlete\|Chris Sutton\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|SKY\|2010}}	{{flagathlete\|André Greipel\|GER}}	{{UCI team code\|THR\|2010}}
2011 \|{{flagathlete\|Matthew Goss\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|THR\|2011}}	{{flagathlete\|Mark Renshaw\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|THR\|2011}}	{{flagathlete\|Robbie McEwen\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|RSH\|2011}}
2012 \|{{flagathlete\|André Greipel\|GER}}	{{UCI team code\|LTB\|2012}}	{{nowrap\|{{flagathlete\|Edvald Boasson Hagen\|NOR}}}}	{{UCI team code\|SKY\|2012}}	{{flagathlete\|Heinrich Haussler\|AUS}}	{{UCI team code\|GRS\|2012a}}
2013 \|{{flagathlete\|André Greipel\|GER}}	{{UCI team code\|LTB\|2013}}	{{flagathlete\|Matthew Goss\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|OBE\|2013}}}}	{{nowrap\|{{flagathlete\|Greg Henderson\|NZL}}}}	{{UCI team code\|LTB\|2013}}
2014	{{flagathlete\|Marcel Kittel\|GER}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|GIA\|2014}}}}	{{flagathlete\|André Greipel\|GER}}	{{UCI team code\|LTB\|2014}}	{{flagathlete\|Caleb Ewan\|AUS}}	UniSA–Australia
2015	{{flagathlete\|Marcel Kittel\|GER}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|GIA\|2015}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Juan José Lobato\|ESP}}	{{UCI team code\|MOV\|2015}}	{{flagathlete\|Wouter Wippert\|NED}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|DPC\|2015}}}}
2016	{{flagathlete\|Caleb Ewan\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|OBE\|2016a}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Giacomo Nizzolo\|ITA}}	{{UCI team code\|TFR\|2016}}	{{flagathlete\|Adam Blythe\|GBR}}	{{UCI team code\|TTS\|2016}}
2017	{{flagathlete\|Caleb Ewan\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|OBE\|2017}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Sam Bennett\|IRL}}	{{UCI team code\|APP\|2017}}	{{flagathlete\|Peter Sagan\|SVK}}	{{UCI team code\|APP\|2017}}
2018	{{flagathlete\|Peter Sagan\|SVK}}	{{UCI team code\|APP\|2018}}	{{flagathlete\|André Greipel\|GER}}	{{UCI team code\|LTB\|2018}}	{{flagathlete\|Caleb Ewan\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|OBE\|2018}}}}
2019	{{flagathlete\|Caleb Ewan\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|LTB\|2019}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Peter Sagan\|SVK}}	{{UCI team code\|APP\|2019}}	{{nowrap\|{{flagathlete\|Alex Edmondson\|AUS}}}}	{{UCI team code\|OBE\|2019}}
2020	{{flagathlete\|Caleb Ewan\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|LTS\|2020}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Elia Viviani\|ITA}}	{{UCI team code\|COF\|2020}}	{{nowrap\|{{flagathlete\|Simone Consonni\|ITA}}}}	{{UCI team code\|COF\|2020}}
2023	{{flagathlete\|Caleb Ewan\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|LTS\|2023}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Jordi Meeus\|BEL}}	{{UCI team code\|BOH\|2023}}	{{nowrap\|{{flagathlete\|Kaden Groves\|AUS}}}}	{{UCI team code\|AFC\|2023}}
2024	{{flagathlete\|Jhonatan Narváez\|ECU}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|IGD\|2024}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Natnael Tesfatsion\|ERI}}	{{UCI team code\|TFS\|2024}}	{{nowrap\|{{flagathlete\|Isaac del Toro\|MEX}}}}	{{UCI team code\|UAD\|2024}}
2025	{{flagathlete\|Sam Welsford\|AUS}}	{{nowrap\|{{UCI team code\|RBH\|2025}}}}	{{flagathlete\|Henri Uhlig\|GER}}	{{UCI team code\|ADC\|2025}}	{{nowrap\|{{flagathlete\|Matthew Brennan\|GBR}}}}	{{UCI team code\|TVL\|2025}}