Race director Mike Turtur has said he and the organisers of the Santos Tour Down Under are “extremely happy” with the races 140 rider start list.

"As organisers, we are extremely happy with the start list," said Turtur of the 140 starters at the pre-race press conference. "I think if any organiser throughout the world had our start list, they'd be pretty happy. The decision of riders and teams to send riders wherever they go, is their decision. All we can do is put on a quality race and make the conditions as best we can. As an organiser, I am delighted with the field we have this year."

Turtur says the race is s till growing, signaled by the increase in crowds at the roadside and watching the races. All information so far is that crowds will at least equal what they were last year, if not better it.

"I think the last five years in particular the crowds have been exceptional and all indicators are, based on the Bupa challenge registrations, and the other events in and around the race are quite clearly that we will match what we've had previously," he explained. That being the case, we are more than happy because we've had quite a significant increase a few years back and we've been able to maintain that level and even have a percentage increase over the last couple of years which has been terrific."