Porte, Edmondson lead national teams for Santos Festival of Cycling

Richie Porte and Annette Edmondson will form part of Team Garmin-Australia after Cycling Australia announced their line-ups for the Santos Festival of Cycling.

The male and female events will replace the Tour Down Under this year and will run from January 21-24.

Despite the sudden increase in coronavirus hotspots across the country, the events are still set to go ahead, with Porte using the race to kickstart his season.

"It’s great to see Richie back in Australia after his historic Tour de France podium," first-year race director Stuart O’Grady said in a press release.

"For him to be racing as a part of the Garmin-Australia National Team is really special.

"Let’s hope the fans come out in their droves to give Richie the pat on the back that he so well deserves."

Porte, a two-time winner of the Tour Down Under, will be joined by four-time world track champion James Whelan (EF Education-Nippo), Sam Welsford, Kelland O’Brien, Luke Plapp, Alex Porter and veteran rider Leigh Howard.

Edmondson, meanwhile, will lead a team that also includes 2019 Australian national champion Sarah Gigante, Georgia Baker, Neve Bradbury, Ashlee Ankudinoff, Maeve Plouffe and Lauretta Hanson (Trek–Segafredo).