Tour Down Under underway today

Roulston (far left) and last year's peloton at the 2011 Cancer Classic ©Graham Watson

Jan 15th, 12. Santos Tour Down Under gets underway in Adelaide today with the Cancer Classic - the first chance for most riders to race with their new teammates this season.

The wait is finally over for cycling fans as all the action, excitement and festivities of the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under gets under way on the streets of Adelaide today.

One hundred and thirty one of the world's best cyclists  - including four Kiwis - from 19 teams will battle it out from 7pm in Adelaide's East End in the Down Under Classic (9.30pm NZ time)

In 2010 New Zealand's Greg Henderson took opening honours, in 2011 it was Matthew Goss (AUS) who took the first glory.

In 2012 there are plenty of speeders on the start list looking to take the victory - including Alessandro Petacchi, Andre Greipel, Oscar Freire, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Daniele Bennati and Robbie McEwen.

On the start line as well as Henderson, who is racing alongside two time overall TDU winner Andre Greipel in Team Lotto Belisol, is fellow Kiwi Jack Bauer in his first pro-tour outing with Garmin Barracuda and Jesse Sergent and Hayden Roulston, both racing for RadioShack Nissan.

Henderson took the Cancer Classic win in 2010 ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Thousands of people are expected to flock to scenic locations around the State this week as the Santos Tour Down Under visits the Clare Valley, Barossa, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula.

Prospect and Lobethal will host race starts for the first time, while the Santos Tour Down Under returns to the wine region of Clare and the seaside town of Victor Harbor.

For the first time in the event's 14 year history, the penultimate stage, Jayco Stage 5, on Saturday, January 21, will finish at the top of Old Willunga Hill.

The 2012 start list boasts an impressive representation of seven past overall winners with nine victories between them;

• Cameron Meyer – 2011
• Andre Greipel – 2010 and 2008
• Martin Elmiger – 2007
• Simon Gerrans – 2006
• Luis Leon Sanchez – 2005
• Michael Rogers – 2002
• Stuart O'Grady – 2001 and 1999