An ideal climb for the more powerful riders
The Old Willunga Hill climb is very open, offering little to no protection. As a result, your time will largely depend on the strength and direction of the wind. The open nature also means it can get extremely hot. The Old Willunga Hill has been part of the Amy’s Gran Fondo in the past. This is a cycling event on fully closed roads held in September with almost 10.000 riders at the starting line.
”It isn’t that tough” is something you could maybe hear at the top of the Old Willlunga Hill. It’s a climb very much loved by the pro’s riders as well by the fans. In pro cycling it is present in stage 5 of the Tour Down Under, traditionally marked as the queen stage, when the peloton heads to the Old Willunga Hill. The Tour Down Under has a history of being won on small margins, so the Old Willunga Hill is the final chance for ambitious riders to make their move.
Pro rider Richie Porte holds the record at 6.39 having an average speed of 26km/h
Former German pro rider Jens Voigt once stated, that the atmosphere at the Old Willunga Hill can be compared with the Alpe d’Huez, in terms of the enthusiasm and pure number of fans. The will to finish at Old Willunga Hill at least one time in first position, resulted for him in winning the most aggressive rider jersey. Basically, the Tour Down Under has added the value needed to mark this climb as iconic, and therefore worthwhile to give it a spot on your bucket list. Suggestion, try to ride the climb on stage day of the Tour Down Under, goose-bumps guaranteed. Pro rider Richie Porte holds the record at 6.39 having an average speed of 26km/h. Probably you can tackle it somewhere around the 10 minutes mark.
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