TOUR DOWN UNDER

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (14:52): My question is directed to the Premier. Can the Premier provide the house with an update on preparations for the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under?

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:52): It is just under eight weeks until the start of the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under, which runs from 16 to 23 January. I remember when one member opposite described it as a second-rate race and said that the riders were second rate, B-graders—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Norwood, you will be quiet.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: We have had best cyclist, the world champion, the best cyclists of all time, all of those, but never mind, apparently that was B-grade. This morning I was delighted to confirm the return of British-based Team Sky, which made its debut at the 2010 Santos Tour Down Under. Riding in the team will be Australian cyclists and former tour winners, Simon Gerrans, who won the 2006 tour, and Michael Rogers, who took the overall title in 2002. Rogers is also the 2010 Tour of California winner.

The return of Team Sky adds to an increasingly stellar line up of riders for the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under. Already we have confirmed cycling superstar and sprint specialist, Mark Cavendish, who will compete for the first time at our event and will go head-to-head with his former team mate and sprint rival, Andre Greipel. Cavendish, known as the Manx missile (that is because he comes from the Isle of Man), is regarded as the best sprinter in the world, and it will be terrific to see him test his speed on the streets of Adelaide and South Australia.

Of course, we have also secured Lance Armstrong for his last professional race on international soil right here in South Australia. What a great bang for buck.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: They are even attacking Lance Armstrong—

The Hon. K.O. Foley: They will want tickets for the race. They will all be queuing up for tickets.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: It is very interesting. Just look at the difference that Pro Tour status made in terms of attendance, coverage and economic bang for buck, and then look at the massive difference that getting Lance Armstrong made here in terms of a massive $41.5 million economic impact, a massive increase in the number of visitors and a massive increase in worldwide coverage. But of course the Liberals in this state will knock anything and everyone; they are addicted to defeat. They do not like the fact that we have won $44 billion worth of defence projects, just as they do not like the fact—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: —that we have had record employment growth. It will be Armstrong's third and last time competing in our Santos Tour Down Under. Once again, we expect his presence in his final race out of America to attract huge crowds. His comeback ride in South Australia in 2009 turned the tour into the biggest event ever staged in South Australian history.

We are very pleased, too, that the announcement of Lance Armstrong's return has already generated a massive boost to entries for the Mutual Community Challenge Tour—the official public ride of the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under. In less than a month we have received 1,500 entries, bringing the total registrations close to 4,000. That is ahead of the same time last year when we ended up with 8,000 people taking part. We expect a rush of entries to continue before the closing date of Friday 7 January. I hope that members opposite will don lycra—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: That was not a great vote of confidence from the leader and her colleagues. For those in this place who are keen to take part, there are four distances to choose from—135 kilometres, 91 kilometres, 62 kilometres or the very enticing 35 kilometres. We have a highly experienced team working on the Santos Tour Down Under, once again headed by Mike Turtur and Hitaf Rasheed from Events South Australia. Their leadership has helped to grow the event into one of the world's great cycling races. In fact, next year our tour will join the same category of race as the Tour de France, becoming part of the new UCI World Tour. UCI World Tour—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: —brings together Pro Tour, Grand Tour and historic calendars—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.D. RANN: —into one category. The Santos Tour Down Under will be the first race on the new UCI World Tour—

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The deputy leader will be quiet.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: —cycling calendar and will feature the top 18 teams in the world which will automatically compete in all World Tour events. We are proud that the Santos Tour Down Under continues to lead the way and builds on South Australia's growing reputation as the cycling capital of Australia.

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! This discussion can be continued out of the chamber, not in here. The member for Unley.