The sheer volume of food required to power the peloton at Adelaide's Tour Down Under is enough to make your head spin, with a catering operation of truly epic proportions rolling out behind the scenes.
A Mountain of Fuel for Elite Athletes
Exclusive access has revealed the staggering scale of the effort needed to keep hundreds of the world's top cyclists energised during the two-week sporting spectacle. The Hilton Hotel in Adelaide has become the central hub, shipping in literal mountains of protein-rich and carbohydrate-heavy supplies.
Hotel chef Zac Kranjacec outlined the jaw-dropping numbers, stating the kitchen will go through approximately 18,000 eggs and an equal number of bread rolls. The menu also features a couple of tonnes of watermelon and fresh vegetables to ensure nutritional balance.
The Numbers Behind the Meals
In total, more than 15,000 individual meals will be plated up over the course of the event. To meet this demand, the catering team has sourced a colossal 12 tonnes of fish, beef, and chicken. They will also cook their way through 800 kilograms of pasta.
"We've got trucks coming daily with pallets of stuff, so it's a huge operation," a staff member commented, highlighting the relentless logistics involved. This enormous fuel load is non-negotiable, with most riders burning up to an incredible 10,000 calories per day during the gruelling hill climbs and sprints.
"The guys here have their work cut out keeping us fed, that's for sure," one grateful cyclist admitted.
More Than Just a Kitchen: A Full-Service Support Hub
The hotel's commitment extends far beyond the dinner plate. The dedicated team also takes on the massive daily laundry task, washing all the riders' kits along with 1500 towels to keep the athletes fresh and focused.
Teki Faletau from the Hilton expressed the team's pride in hosting the event, saying, "The Tour Down Under are part of the extension of our family and we look forward to welcoming them back every year."
For fans eager to experience the action, the Tour Village in Victoria Square kicks off on Friday night. The racing itself begins on Saturday in Tanunda. When asked how the Australian event compares to the famous Tour de France, British cyclist Claire Steels gave a definitive endorsement: "Yeah, definitely."
