Excited crowds ready for Tour Down Under

The stage is set for the Tour Down Under curtain-raiser tonight, with tens of thousands travelling into Adelaide’s east end.

Race organisers expecting have been expecting bigger crowds because of great weather and a strong Aussie contingent, led by the retiring Cadel Evans.

Stage one on Tuesday passes through bush-fire affected Kersbrook and Cudlee Creek.

Stage two will launch from Unley, looping Hahndorf and Stirling several times.

The most crucial stage might be the third, which ends with a grueling uphill slog into Paracombe.

Stage four begins at Glenelg and winds along the coast and up to Mount Barker.

For stage five, onlookers can expect a fierce contest around McLaren Vale, ending with a thrilling climb up Willunga Hill.

The final stage is a sprinter's race with twenty laps between North Adelaide and Victoria Square.