Cyclists competing in the Tour Down Under have called for an end to the event's sponsorship by fossil fuel company Santos, citing the contradiction of promoting a race increasingly affected by extreme heat while being backed by an oil and gas producer. The race, which begins on 16 January, has been sponsored by Santos since 2010, with a renewal last year extending the deal to 2028.
Australian Olympic cyclist Maeve Plouffe noted that training in extreme heat has become standard, with athletes using heat chambers heated to 36–40°C to prepare for conditions she described as 'playing chicken with your environment.' Plouffe, who holds degrees in law and marine biology, said the next three years give organisers time to find an alternative sponsor, stating it would 'resonate better' for many involved.
Former national road champion Brodie Chapman agreed, arguing that sponsorships should reflect the values of the modern world and the natural world. Fellow former champion Cyrus Monk called the Santos sponsorship 'embarrassing' and expressed a desire for a sponsor like Belgium's Renewi Tour, which is backed by a renewable energy company. Monk also criticised the lack of transparency over the value of the naming rights deal and government contributions.
A Tour Down Under spokesperson defended Santos as a 'valued naming rights partner,' claiming its support enabled the introduction of a women's WorldTour race with equal prize money and the event being named Australia's best sporting event in 2024. The spokesperson also highlighted Santos's role in South Australia's renewable energy investment and its carbon capture project at Moomba, which Santos says offsets emissions equivalent to 700,000 cars annually. However, analysts note the Moomba project has captured only 4.6% of Santos's total corporate emissions, while the company recently received approval for the Barossa gas development, considered one of Australia's dirtiest gas projects.
The riders' concerns come amid broader criticism of fossil fuel sponsorship in cycling, with campaigners like Matt Rendell from the Badvertising campaign arguing the sport's economics have made it reliant on such funding. Protesters have targetted the Santos deal since the 2019-20 bushfires, and riders now add their voices to calls for change.
