Australia’s Tour Down Under last month attracted record crowds, visitor numbers and income, the South Australian state government said Friday.

Germany’s Andre Greipel won his second Tour Down Under victory with American legend Lance Armstrong also attracting intense worldwide interest in his preparation for an eighth Tour de France win later this year.

According to government figures, the January 17-24 event around Adelaide attracted 770,500 spectators, up from 760,500 in 2009 and an increased 43,700 visitors to South Australia for the Tour.

It was estimated that the Tour had a 41.5 million dollar (37.2 million US) economic impact on the state compared with 39 million dollars the previous year.

“The 2010 Tour Down Under was the biggest and best in the event’s history, with record crowds, public participation and economic impact,” race director Mike Turtur said in a statement.

“We’ve been blown away by the success of the race, which this year fielded the strongest group of riders in its history with the likes of Armstrong, (Cadel) Evans, Greipel and (Robbie) McEwen.”

Preliminary economic impact and research figures released today show the event, held in South Australia on 17-24 January, attracted:
• 770,500 spectators compared to 760,500 in 2009
• 43,700 visitors to the State who attended the event compared to 42,500 in 2009
• 39,700 event specific visitors from interstate and overseas compared to 36,200 in 2009
• $41.5 million in economic impact compared to $39 million in 2009