Australia’s track cycling Queen Anna Meares and German star Jens Voigt will be official ambassadors for the Santos Tour Down Under for the next two years.

The news was announced at tonight’s Legends’ Night Dinner before an audience of 1,300 at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

South Australian Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said the State Government was delighted they have agreed to come on board as ambassadors of the Santos Tour Down Under. 

“Anna Meares and Jens Voigt are synonymous with cycling and success. More importantly, they are both great people who are universally respected and loved,” he said. 

“We’ll be working with both Anna and Jens on a series of activities during the next two years aimed at encouraging even more visitors to attend the best UCI WorldTour event outside Europe.

“Appointing Anna and Jens as ambassadors is a key part of the State Government’s commitment to making the Tour Down Under even bigger and better.”

Meares has had a long association with the Santos Tour Down Under, and says she is looking forward to formally joining the team.

“The Santos Tour Down Under is an internationally recognised event with an outstanding reputation. I can’t wait to add value to the event and help promote the race and the Santos Festival of Cycling to a wider audience,” she said. 

Meares is one of Australia's favourite sporting heroes. She is a three-time Olympian, two-time Olympic champion, five-time Olympic medalist, a ten-time world champion across four different disciplines, and a five-time Commonwealth Games champion. 

Voigt says he is thrilled to add the title of Santos Tour Down Under ambassador to his current repertoire of commitments, including being the ‘Ambassador of Awesome’ for Trek Factory Racing.

“I’m really pleased to be formally involved with the Tour Down Under. I love this race, it has always been one of my favourites on the calendar, and I’m proud to work with such a great team,” he said.

“The Tour Down Under has a great reputation around the world. I am looking forward to spreading the word even further. The fans in Oz are the greatest.”

Voigt rode for only four teams in his career: Giant-AIS, GAN, CSC and Leopard Trek - which later became Trek Factory Racing. He won two individual stages at the Tour de France and one at the Giro d’Italia. He is extremely popular with cycling fans, both for his riding style and personality.