UCI World Road Champion cyclist and rainbow jersey wearer Peter Sagan has arrived in Adelaide ahead of his only Australian race for 2017, the Santos Tour Down Under.

Sagan, 26, is the back-to-back World Champion of the road and returns to Australia’s premier cycling race where he made his professional debut in 2010.

Sagan will be riding for new UCI ProTour team BORA – hansgrohe in the team’s WorldTour debut.

Touching down this morning at Adelaide Airport, Sagan and his wife Katarina were met by Santos Tour Down Under race director Mike Turtur and Oppy, the Tour’s kangaroo mascot.

Prior to his arrival Sagan said he was looking forward to racing in Adelaide once again.

“I want to train well and for the start of season (the race) is very important. This race is very high standard, it is WorldTour, and I just want to do my best with the team and we will see what we can do,” Sagan during a media call at 2KW today.

“I’m very glad to come back because it’s good weather and I’ve been here, in 2010 the last time, for this race and it was I think a very good start to the season.”

Race director Mike Turtur said it was exciting to see Sagan back in South Australia, and with formidable professional experience and many accolades under his belt, he expects the Slovakian will be a fierce competitor.

“It’s great for the race, great for Australian cycling to have Peter here in the rainbow jersey, any organization in the world is honoured to have the rainbow jersey,” Turtur said.

“But I think with Peter you get the complete package because people love the way that he races, he’s very aggressive, the way he interacts with the media and spectators is fantastic for the sport.

“We’re just honoured to have him here in the rainbow jersey with his new team.

“(Also) Peter mentioned that other teams are sending very strong line-ups so the quality here in 2017 will be exceptional, led by the rainbow jersey and World Champion Peter Sagan.”

Minister for Tourism Leon Bignell says the whole State is looking forward to witnessing Peter Sagan’s first race wearing the BORA - hansgrohe kit with the rainbow jersey.

“Peter is an extremely popular personality and athlete and it is an honour to welcome him back to South Australia,” he says.

"We are calling it ‘the power of Peter’. Bringing the UCI Champion to Adelaide is gaining enormous positive feedback from cycling fans, and the added star power is set to contribute greatly to the success of this year’s Santos TDU.

“I encourage everyone to come to the Santos TDU. Watching international cyclists like Peter Sagan, Esteban Chaves, Richie Porte, Simon Gerrans and local star, Rohan Dennis, will be an exhilarating experience and something spectators will remember forever.”

The Santos Tour Down Under will kick off with team presentations on Saturday 14 January, 2017 at the Adelaide City Council Tour Village in Victoria Square.