Stuart O'Grady has been named the new race director of the Tour Down Under.

During his long professional career, O'Grady has won the Tour Down Under in 1999 and 2001, won Paris-Roubaix in 2007, worn the yellow jersey twice in the Tour de France, and won gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics with Graeme Brown and won gold in Madison with him at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

In 2013, O'Grady admitted to using EPO before the 1998 Tour de France.

The list included many well-known riders from the 1990s, including Marco Pantani, Laurent Jalabert, Bobby Julich, Jan Ullrich, Andrea Tafi, and Eric Zabel. Many athletes also admitted to doping but remained in the sport in other roles.

O'Grady is from Adelaide, where the Tour Down Under is held every January. He will take over the mantle of race director after a one-event apprenticeship under Turtur for the 2020 race.

"Being appointed to this position is truly the pinnacle of my career," O'Grady said in an official announcement from Race.

"I have spent my life and my career working with the international cycling community, and I am excited to be a part of it.

"I am excited to host a race in my hometown that I have competed in, won, and watched grow in cycling participation and fan base over the years. I look forward to a creative race that will develop my vision and lead to the continued growth of the men's sport and the race as a whole."

This year's Tour Down Under will run from January 16-26, with four days of racing for the women from January 16-19 and six days for the men from January 19-26.

Cycling News will have all the live updates, reports, and news from the Tour Down Under.