Winner of the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under, Simon Gerrans.
The 2012 Santos Tour concluded yesterday afternoon, with Australian Simon Gerrans taking the crown and the newly formed Australian team GreenEDGE claiming victory in its UCI WorldTour debut.
An estimated 750,000 people lined Adelaide and regional South Australia’s roads over the past week – 22,000 less than last year but well above pre-Lance Armstrong crowd numbers. Pleasingly, the number of interstate and overseas visitors was 37,000 this year compared to 27,000 last year.
Santos extends Tour partnership
Santos announced on Saturday that it would extend its partnership with the Santos Tour Down Under to 2016, a three-year extension of the original agreement.
Santos CEO David Knox made the announcement with SA Premier Jay Weatherill during the live broadcast of Saturday’s fifth stage through McLaren Vale.
David said he was “extremely pleased that we will continue our association with the Santos Tour Down Under, an event that brings a tremendous amount of energy, vibrancy and pride.”
Mr Weatherill said Santos “is a great corporate citizen and we value their partnership … they are making a massive contribution to the wellbeing of South Australia.”
Bupa Challenge Tour
About 220 Santos employees saddled up last Friday to take part in the Bupa Challenge Tour, the popular annual event in which the public cycles the day’s Santos Tour stage just hours before the professionals.
Employees joined about 8,000 others as they covered one of four available distances starting in Norwood (138km), Gumeracha (102km), Mt Pleasant (79km) and Tanunda (33km), and finishing back in Tanunda.
Santos covered entry fees and provided uniforms, and set up a marquee with drinks, food, and masseurs to ease those aching muscles.
A notable visitor was federal opposition leader Tony Abbott, who, after completing the full 138-kilometre leg, ventured into Santos’ marquee for a massage and a chat with Santos staff.
Congratulations and well done to everyone who took part. Photos of riders have been posted on the Santos Peloton and a video will be available soon.
Riding for a reason
Many employees participated in Cancer Council SA’s Ride for a Reason initiative, which encouraged those taking part in the Bupa Challenge Tour to raise valuable funds.
In all, Santos staff raised about $30,000 and the company made a $20,000 donation in recognition of employees’ efforts. A fantastic achievement by all involved.
Giving time
As well as the 220 riders in the Bupa Challenge Tour, 170 employees volunteered to help staff Santos’ displays at each stage finish and at the Tour Village.
The Santos booths featured merchandise giveaways and the ever-popular Santos Energy Bikes, which were enhanced this year to include electronic displays of the energy generated by riders on two side-by-side bikes that allowed more competitive participants to square off.
Thank you to all who gave their time.
Building relationships
Santos used its partnership to strengthen its stakeholder relationships, hosting over 600 people at four Santos Tour stages, five dinners and a media welcome function.
The company ran a coordinated communications program to boost its profile, which included advertising, videos, the Santos Centre wrap, media opportunities, a blog by former Olympian Shane Kelly, and regular stories on The Well, Santos’ external websites and social media.
First hill-top finish a success
Saturday’s Santos Tour Stage 5 was the first time the finish line was placed at the top of the notorious Old Willunga Hill. The result – a thrilling sprint finish in which Spaniard Alejandro Valverde pipped eventual Santos Tour winner Simon Gerrans by centimetres.
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Community relations, Health, South Australia