With patriotic pride, Tina Arena made a last minute dash for the podium on the Champs Elysees on the final day of the 2011 Tour de France. Her rush to stage was actually to congratulate fellow Australian Cadel Evans who won in an impressive and hard fought victory against an outstanding field of competitors.

The Australian-born singer performed an impromptu version of Advance Australia Fair as Cadel Evans was crowned champion following the cyclist’s stunning victory.

It was the first time any country’s national anthem has been performed on the Tour De France podium and it came about following a frenzied exchange of telephone calls.

Tina explains how her performance came about on the day:

and watch her spine-tingling performance here:

Tina Arena will tour Oz in January next year, appearing as special guest with international (and rather handsome) superstar Ronan Keating for indoor concerts in Melbourne and Sydney, plus seven “A Day On The Green” winery events around the country.

The tour is a quick skip-hop-and-a-jump back home after she has spent much of the year in Europe – being awarded the French Order of Merit (!!!), releasing a French Greatest Hits album (The Best and Le Meilleur), and has been sweeping wowing crowds on her European tour.

“There really is nothing like the out-door venues in Australia,” Tina said. “They are some of the best places on earth – and surrounded by the holy grape! Touring them with Ronan will be an amazing start to 2010.”

In Australia, Tina will be touring with her full band including strings and performing the her own classics plus songs from (her double platinum) Songs of Love and Loss albums Volumes 1 & 2. If you’ve not heard the albums, they’re probably not quite what you think… with covers of Alice Cooper, Blondie, Nick Kershaw etc.

Check out the tour page for dates from Jan 16 – Feb 2, 2010.