Cyclists Advocate for New Tour Down Under Sponsor, Criticizing Oil and Gas Partnership

Professional cyclists are advocating for a change in sponsorship for the prestigious Tour Down Under cycling event, calling for the removal of oil and gas producer Santos. Many riders feel that the continued association with the energy giant, which has naming rights until 2028, conflicts with the evolving values of the modern world and environmental sustainability. This push comes amidst increasing scrutiny of Santos's environmental impact, particularly its substantial greenhouse gas emissions and ongoing investments in new fossil fuel ventures.

Santos, a major contributor to Australia's greenhouse gas emissions, has been the title sponsor of the Tour Down Under since 2010. Despite renewed criticism, the company extended its partnership last year, securing naming rights until 2028. However, prominent figures in the cycling community are now openly expressing their desire for a different sponsor, one that better reflects contemporary environmental ethics.

Australian Olympic cyclist Maeve Plouffe, while not directly condemning Santos or the event organizers, suggested that a different sponsor would resonate more positively with participants and the public. Similarly, former national road champion Brodie Chapman emphasized the need for the Tour Down Under to seek a new partner that aligns more closely with the values of the modern world, the Australian populace, the natural environment, and the athletes themselves.

Criticism of Santos has intensified, particularly in the wake of Australia's severe 2019–20 bushfire season and the company's continued commitment to new oil and gas developments. The recent approval of its Barossa gas project, considered one of the most emissions-intensive gas initiatives in the country, has further fueled these concerns. Former national champion Cyrus Monk openly described the ongoing sponsorship as "embarrassing" and expressed a wish for a renewable energy company to step in, drawing a comparison to the Belgian Renewi Tour's environmentally conscious sponsorship model.

While acknowledging the potential difficulty in replacing a major sponsor, the financial specifics of Santos's contribution and the South Australian government's funding remain undisclosed. This situation has also attracted direct action, with climate activists previously targeting the race. In 2023, members of Extinction Rebellion were arrested during a protest at the women’s Tour in Adelaide, using unconventional methods to draw attention to Santos's involvement and its perceived role in accelerating global emissions.

A spokesperson for the Tour Down Under defended the partnership, stating that Santos's support is crucial for delivering a world-class international cycling event. They highlighted the growth of the event, including the introduction of an equal prize money women's WorldTour race, and the event's recognition as Australia's top sporting event in 2024. The spokesperson also echoed sentiments from the South Australian premier, arguing that natural gas from Santos plays a vital role in the region's renewable energy efforts and its carbon capture initiatives. However, analyses indicate that Santos's Moomba carbon capture project has so far only mitigated a small fraction of the company's total corporate emissions.

Matt Rendell, a former Tour de France commentator and advocate for the Badvertising campaign, noted that cycling's image as an environmentally conscious sport makes it an attractive platform for fossil fuel companies seeking to enhance their public perception. He identified the Tour Down Under, held in a region experiencing extreme weather, as a clear focal point for these issues. Rendell challenged the notion that no alternative sponsors exist, suggesting that such an assumption represents a lack of imagination. He concluded that as long as the event is tied to one sponsor, it limits opportunities to explore other potential partnerships, and any uncertainty in the current arrangement could pave the way for new possibilities.