preview tour down under

Preview Tour Down Under 2024 | Dutch powerhouses, two top favorites, and lots of young talent!

Ta-da! Here we are: the first official road race for men in 2024, and immediately a WorldTour category event. A portion of the peloton embarks on the annual journey to Australia for the Tour Down Under in the southern part of the country, and this season brings a different flavor with IDLProCycling.com hopping through it!

The average cycling enthusiast acknowledges that the Tour Down Under has secured its position in the global cycling landscape. However, in 2024, it is still perceived as a prelude to what lies ahead. This sentiment is honestly reflected in the winners of the last decade—with the exception of the two corona editions, all victors hailed from Australia (Vine, Porte, Gerrans, and Dennis) or rode for the GreenEdge formation (Impey).

The most recent winner with no direct connection to the land of koalas and kangaroos is Tom-Jelte Slagter from the Dutch town of Groningen. He clinched victory in the 2013 edition, making him the sole Dutchman to ever triumph in the race. Notably, no Belgian cyclist graced the podium between 1999 and 2023.

Practical information Tour Down Under 2024

• Tuesday, Jan. 16 - Sunday, Jan. 21
• Participants
• Classification: WorldTour

In this article:

• Latest winners
• Course and times
• TV information

Latest winners Tour Down Under

2023 Jay Vine

2022 Not ridden

2021 Not ridden

2020 Richie Porte

2019 Daryl Impey

2018 Daryl Impey

2017 Richie Porte

2016 Simon Gerrans

2015 Rohan Dennis

2014 Simon Gerrans

Tour Down Under 2024: course, favorites daily wins and times

Stage 1, tuesday, january 16, 2024: tanunda - tanunda (144 km).

This year's Tour Down Under will not commence with a prologue, as was the case last year. A slight disappointment for participants Joshua Tarling and Filippo Ganna, but in this edition, we kick off with a stage in and around Tanunda, a recurring venue for the Australian stage race. Featuring Menglers Hill along the route and a slightly uphill finish, Tanunda typically favors power sprinters, with Phil Bauhaus, Sam Bennett, and André Greipel emerging as the victors in the last three editions held in Tanunda.

31.5 km: Menglers Hill (2.1 km a 4%)

81.0 km: Menglers Hill (2.1 km a 4%)

130.5 km: Menglers Hill (2.1 km a 4%)

Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious)

Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty)

Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla)

Start: 11:10 a.m. (01:40 a.m. Dutch time)

Finish: 2:52 p.m. (05:22 a.m. Dutch time)

Stage 2, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024: Norwood - Lobethal (141.6 km)

On day two, the riders are immediately confronted with a sort of transition stage, featuring more than 2,400 altimeters in 141 kilometers. The route kicks off with an immediate climb towards Ashton, and three additional ascents of Fox Creek (1.6 kilometers at 8 percent) lie ahead, with a final one in the last ten kilometers. Is it too challenging for the sprinters and too gentle for the true climbers?

10.0 km: Ashton (10 km a 4%)

63.5 km: Fox Creek (1.6 km a 8%)

98.5 km: Fox Creek (1.6 km a 8%)

Corbin Strong (Israel-Premier Tech)

Danny van Poppel (BORA-hansgrohe)

Jhonatan Narváez (INEOS Grenadiers)

Stage 3, Thursday, January 18, 2024: Tea Tree Gully - Campbelltown (145.3 km)

On day three, another challenging start awaits, this time at Tea Tree Gully. The initial two kilometers feature a steep uphill section, but that's the most demanding part. Similar to last year, the route leads towards Mount Pleasant, though not from the steeper side. Sprinters are likely to come to the forefront in Campbelltown.

2.1 km: Tea Tree Guly Hill (2.1 km a 6%)

34.5 km: Whispering Wall (1.6 km a 2%)

Sam Welsford (BORA-hansgrohe)

Laurence Pithie (Groupama-FDJ)

Finish: 2:49 p.m. (05:19 a.m. Dutch time)

Stage 4, Friday, January 19, 2024: Murray Bridge - Port Elliot (136.2 km)

The fourth stage is unquestionably the easiest leg of this year's Tour Down Under, with only 481 meters of elevation gain. The destination is Port Elliot, situated on the South Australian coast. Could the wind possibly play a role in the dynamics of the stage?

86.0 km: Gemmell Hill (4.2 km a 4%)

Finish: 2:48 p.m. (05:18 a.m. Dutch time)

Stage 5, Saturday, January 20, 2024: Christies Beach - Willunga Hill (129.3 km)

There's Willunga Hill! For years, it was the focal point of the Tour Down Under, but it took a hiatus last season. In the 2024 edition, however, the well-known hill near Adelaide is 'just' back, and with its three-kilometer length and average gradient of seven percent, it will undoubtedly leave its imprint on the course of the race once more.

106.5 km: Willunga Hill (3 km a 7%)

129.3 km: Willunga Hill (3 km a 7%)

Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step)

Simon Yates (Jayco AlUla)

Finish: 2:31 p.m. (05:01 a.m. Dutch time)

Stage 6, Sunday, January 21, 2024: Unley - Mount Lofty (128.2 km)

Last season, the Tour Down Under witnessed its first decisive moments on Mount Lofty. However, this season, the organizers are taking it a step further with the Willunga-Lofty combo. While the summit provides a stunning view of Adelaide, the competing riders won't have the luxury to savor it. Mount Lofty has to be conquered three times, and the finish is set atop this challenging ascent.

3.8 km: Windy Point (3.8 km a 6%)

70.5 km: Mount Lofty (1.3 km a 8%)

98.5 km: Mount Lofty (1.3 km a 8%)

128.2 km: Mount Lofty (1.3 km a 8%)

Jack Haig (Bahrain Victorious)

Milan Vader (Visma | Lease a Bike)

Favorites final classification Tour Down Under 2024

Anyone perusing the start list for the Tour Down Under will notice two standout figures in terms of achievements. Firstly, there's grand tour winner Simon Yates , leading the home team Jayco AlUla—a squad that is imperative in this race, including the freshly crowned Australian champion Luke Plapp.

The second notable presence is Julian Alaphilippe , a two-time world champion and a prolific winner for Soudal Quick-Step. The Frenchman is entering the Year of Truth and could kick it off strongly Down Under, on a course that should particularly suit his style. Can he leave a lasting impression on team manager Patrick Lefevere and other teams?

Apart from these names, the start list is brimming with young talent. UAE-Team Emirates has paired experienced riders Diego Ulissi and Alessandro Covi with emerging stars like Isaac del Toro (Tour de l'Avenir winner), Antonio Morgado, and Finn Fisher-Black . Meanwhile, Visma | Lease a Bike Baby has flown in Giro winner Johannes Staune-Mittet to Australia. Milan Vader is expected to lead the charge for this lineup, with the support of Robert Gesink and Koen Bouwman.

Jonathan Narváez can rely on the support of INEOS hard riders Filippo Ganna and Joshua Tarling, along with the preliminary criterium winner, top talent Leo Hayter. In that race, he fended off challenges from Oscar Onley , the leader of DSM-Firmenich PostNL, among others. We place them in the same category in terms of chances as riders like Jack Haig (Bahrain Victorious), Ruben Guerreiro (Movistar), and Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech)—all riders who have demonstrated excellence in similar races before. Guerreiro has Gonzalo Serrano alongside him at Movistar, while Williams leads a formidable team with George Bennett, Derek Gee, Nick Schultz, and Corbin Strong, among others.

Lidl-Trek brings a robust team, including Bauke Mollema, Quinn Simmons, Juan Pedro López, Mathias Vacek, and Natnael Tesfatsion, without a clear leader immediately evident. As for outsiders, we are also keeping an eye on Franck Bonnamour (Decathlon AG2R), Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty), Roger Adria (BORA-hansgrohe), Jason Osborne (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Samuele Battistella, Cristian Scaroni (Astana), and Michael Storer (Australian selection).

According to IDLProCycling.com , who are the favorites for the final classification of the 2024 Tour Down Under?

Top favorites: Simon Yates (Jayco AlUla) and Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step)

Outsiders: Oscar Onley (dsm-firmenich PostNL), Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla), Jhonatan Narváez (INEOS Grenadiers) and Milan Vader (Visma | Lease a Bike)

Long shots: Jack Haig (Bahrain Victorious), Isaac del Toro, Diego Ulissi, Finn-Fisher-Black (UAE-Team Emirates), Ruben Guerreiro (Movistar), Roger Adria (BORA-hansgrohe), Johannes Staune-Mittet (Visma } Lease a Bike) and Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech)

TV Tour Down Under 2024

The Tour Down Under runs annually at the same time as the Australian Open, which means we won't see the race live on Dutch TV. Eurosport.nl offers the solution with live footage of the race, which can be seen daily in its entirety on that platform and Discovery+ . Arrival is daily around five to six in the Dutch morning.

- 2024 Tour Down Under Live Online Coverage Guide -

Cyclingfans.com Tour Down Under Tour Tracker with live GPS tracking shows you key data about every stage, including every rider group, time gap, sprint and climb. Click any of the icons to get details about the item, including detailed gradients of every climb.

2020 Tour Down Under Stage 6 Profile

2020 Tour Down Under Stage 5 Profile

2020 Tour Down Under Stage 4 Profile

2020 Tour Down Under Stage 2 Profile

2020 Tour Down Under Stage 1 Profile

Previous live feeds:

- 2021 Santos Festival of Cycling, Australia

Men and Women Road races January 21 - 24 ----------------------------------------------

STAGE 1 - Thursday, January 21 - Seppeltsfield TO Tanunda (Ziptrak Stage 1)

Women's Race Start at 9:00am local, 11:30pm CET, 5:30pm ET (Wednesday night in the US) Finish at 11:30am local, 02:00am CET, 8:00pm ET

Men's Race Start at 1:15pm local, 03:45am CET, 9:45pm ET Finish at 4:11pm local, 6:41am CET, 12:41am ET ----------------------------

Stage 2 - Friday, January 22 - Birdwood - Lobethal (BikeExchange Stage 2)

Women's Race Start at 9:00am local, 11:30pm CET, 5:30pm ET (Thursday night in the US) Finish at 11:45am local, 02:15am CET, 8:15pm ET

Men's Race Start at 1:30pm local, 04:00am CET, 10:00pm ET Finish at 4:25pm local, 6:55am CET, 12:55am ET

----------------------------

Stage 3 - Saturday, January 23 - McLaren Vale - Willunga Hill (Be Safe Be Seen Stage 3)

Women's Race Start at 10:00am local, 12:30am CET, 6:30pm ET (Friday night in the US) Finish at 11:30am local, 02:00am CET, 8:00pm ET

Men's Race Start at 1:00pm local, 03:30am CET, 9:30pm ET Finish at 3:20pm local, 5:50am CET, 11:50am ET ----------------------------

Stage 4 - Sunday, January 24 - Victoria Park (Trek Stage 4)

Women's Race Start at 4:45pm local, 7:15am CET, 1:15am ET Finish at 5:45pm local, 8:15am CET, 2:15am ET

Men's Race Start at 6:45pm local, 09:15am CET, 3:15am ET Finish at 7:45pm local, 10:15am CET, 4:15am ET ----------------------------

Adelaide time zone is ACDT Australian Central Daylight Time (GMT+10:30) 9:30 hours ahead of CET 15:30 hours ahead of ET

- Giacomo Nizzolo (NTT Pro Cycling) won Stage 5.  Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott) took over the lead in the general classification.

- Tour Tracker LIVE here .  More feeds to come...

- Expected LIVE video here . (Sky Sport, geo-restricted)  - Expected LIVE video here . (SuperSport, geo-restricted)  - Expected LIVE video here . (TV2.dk, geo-restricted)  - Expected LIVE video here . (SenalColombia, geo-restricted)  - Expected LIVE video here .  (GCN Racing, geo-restricted)

- Expected LIVE video here & here & here . (English, Seven, geo-restricted?)

- Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal) won Stage 4.  Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) remains overall leader.

- Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) won Stage 3 and is new race leader.

- Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal) won Stage 2 and took over the lead on G.C.

- Stage 1 Results: Overall Ziptrak Stage 1 Winner: Sam Bennett, Deceuninck – Quick-Step Santos Ochre Leader’s Jersey: Sam Bennett, Deceuninck – Quick-Step Crowds: 75,000 Santos Best Dressed Town Daily Winner: Tanunda Business Group   Stage 2 Cycling Action Race:                 Santos Tour Down Under What:                Novatech Stage 2 Start:                 11:00am @ Woodside Finish:               2:23pm @ Stirling Distance:          135.8km

Stage 2 Broadcast Details 2020 Santos Tour Down Under – Novatech Stage 2 Sydney 12.30pm LIVE on Channel 7 and 7plus Melbourne 12.30pm LIVE on Channel 7 and 7plus Brisbane 11.30am LIVE on 7TWO, 12.00pm LIVE on Channel 7 and 7plus Adelaide 12.00pm LIVE on Channel 7 and 7plus Perth 9.30am LIVE on 7TWO and 7plus

- Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quickstep) won Stage 1 and is first leader in the general classification.

- South Australian Premier Steven Marshall commenting on the region: "Spectators can not only enjoy some elite cycling action but can also experience everything the Barossa has to offer – from the region’s quality produce to world-class wineries only a stone’s throw away from the racing.  The Barossa region is a popular destination for domestic and international travellers, helping to put South Australia on the map. It’s great to be able to have the cycling go straight through here so visitors can make the most of their time in this fantastic part of the state."

- Mike Turtur, Race Director: "The design of our race is a unique feature of the event and this year we have three days for both the sprinters and the all-rounders.  We’re going back to Paracombe and will climb Willunga Hill again for the finale in Be Safe Be Seen Stage 6 but also have a fast race set for today in the Barossa and we’ll challenge the peloton with a return to Stirling.  We recognise that circuit racing gives people the opportunity to see the race multiple times and really does allow the full colour of the race to be presented to spectators. The riders like them too because they can familiarise themselves with the circuit and the climbs, and it reduces the danger of corners because they do them multiple times."

Day 1 Cycling Action Race: Santos Tour Down Under What: Ziptrak Stage 1 Start: 11:00am @ Tanunda Finish: 2:45pm @ Tanunda Distance: 150.0km

Today’s Broadcast Details 2020 Santos Tour Down Under – Ziptrak Stage 1 Sydney: 12.30pm LIVE on Channel 7 and 7plus Melbourne: 12.30pm LIVE on Channel 7 and 7plus Brisbane:  11.30am LIVE on 7TWO, 12.00pm LIVE on Channel 7 and 7plus Adelaide: 12.00pm LIVE on Channel 7 and 7plus Perth: 9.30am LIVE on 7TWO and 7plus

- Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) won the 2020 Men's Tour Down Under Schwalbe Classic.  Said Ewan post-race: "I started this season, I think, with a bit of pressure to replicate what I did last year or try to grow my wins on top of that. This is my first race of the season, usually, I’ve done some races before but I felt really good out there. I was pretty relaxed for the first half sitting down the back and then when I needed to go, I got up into position and that was it.

- Simona Frapporti (BePink) won Stage 4.  Ruth Winder (Trek-Segafredo) wins the 2020 Women's Tour Down Under.  Frapporti following her stage win said: "It’s always nice to win on the first stage race of the year. Coming from Italy, we were behind the locals in terms of condition but I was feeling very well today. So I took my chance. I’m sure my two brothers [Marco and Mattia Frapporti] who are professional cyclists too will be happy to hear that I’m a winner today. It’s important to start an Olympic year with a victory. It’s perfect for the confidence."

- Ruth Winder following her overall victory in the 2020 Women's TDU: "It feels pretty crazy to win the Santos Tour Down Under. Team Sunweb and Mitchelton-SCOTT really put us under pressure. I’m really happy to pull it off. I’m still really excited after the stage I won yesterday. It’s such an incredible feeling. It’s not a single person’s sport. For every win, you need a strong team. I wish my team-mates could accompany me on the podium."

- TDU Schwalbe Classic - Sunday, January 19 -

- Expected LIVE video here . (Sky Sport, geo-restricted)  - Expected LIVE video here . (SuperSport, geo-restricted)

- Expected LIVE video here .  (English, 7TWO)

- Expected LIVE video here .  (English, 7mate)

- Santos Women's Tour Down Under -

- Stage 4 - Sunday, January 19 -

- Expected LIVE video  here .  (English, GCN Racing)

- Expected LIVE video here .  (English, 7plus)

- Ruth Winder (Trek-Segafredo) won Stage 3 and took over the lead on G.C.  Winder had this to say after the stage: "My teammate Tayler Wiles, she was just leading me out perfectly. I was talking to her the whole time, we’ve been teammates for years and she’s helped me with so many wins, so every time I do I feel so grateful for her in the last 500 metres. The whole team the entire race was really active at the front covering things, making sure I was really safe until the circuits, which were pretty hard with Mitchelton-SCOTT destroying it on the times pretty much."

- Amanda Spratt (Mitchelton-Scott) won Stage 2 and is new overall leader.  Spratt post-stage: "Very, very, very excited. We had a solid team plan today, we knew it could be really hard in the final if we made it that way, and that’s exactly what we did. The girls did it perfectly into the climb, Lucy [Kennedy] did her job in the climb and split it into a group of five – we had three and five – and then we knew we just had to make it hard after that. I’m really excited that I could win that sprint in the end. After a great team effort it’s the best way to win."

- Chloe Hosking (Rally Cycling) won Stage 1 of the women's race and is first leader in the general classification.  Said Hosking post-stage: "I am just so proud of the girls, it's our first race all together but you wouldn't know it on the road. They were always there, when there was trouble in the wind they were rolling, and they did exactly what we planned in the finish which was just to keep the speed high and keep me out of trouble...we committed to our plan and we executed it."

Santos Tour Down Under - Men's race - January 19 - 26

Stage 1 - Tuesday, January 21 - Tanunda-Tanunda (Ziptrak® Stage 1) Start at 11:00am local, 01:30am CET, 7:30pm ET (US times the previous day) Finish at 2:45pm local, 5:15am CET, 11:15pm ET

Stage 2 - Wednesday, January 22 - Woodside-Stirling (Novatech Stage 2) Start at 11:00am local, 01:30am CET, 7:30pm ET (US times the previous day) Finish at 2:23pm local, 4:53am CET, 10:53pm ET

Stage 3 - Thursday, January 23 - Unley - Paracombe (Subaru Stage 3) Start at 11:00am local, 01:30am CET, 7:30pm ET (US times the previous day) Finish at 2:27pm local, 4:57am CET, 10:57pm ET

Stage 4 - Friday, January 24 - Norwood - Murray Bridge Start at 11:00am local, 01:30am CET, 7:30pm ET (US times the previous day) Finish at 3:08pm local, 5:38am CET, 11:38pm ET

Stage 5 - Saturday, January 25 - Glenelg - Victor Harbor (100% Stage 5) Start at 10:40am local, 1:10am CET, 7:10pm ET (US times the previous day) Finish at 2:40pm local, 5:10am CET, 11:10pm ET

Stage 6 - Sunday, January 26 - McLaren Vale - Willunga Hill (Be Safe Be Seen Stage 6) Start at 10:40am local, 1:10am CET, 7:10pm ET (US times the previous day) Finish at 2:28pm local, 4:58am CET, 10:58pm ET

Adelaide time zone is ACDT 9:30 hours ahead of CET 15:30 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern 16:30 hours ahead of Chicago

Santos Women's Tour - January 16 - 19

Stage 1 - Thursday, January 16 - Hahndorf to Macclesfield (Ziptrak® Stage 1) Start at 10:00am local, 12:30am CET, 6:30pm ET (US times the previous day)

Stage 2 - Friday, January 17 - Murray Bridge-Birdwood (Novatech Stage 2) Start at 10:00am local, 12:30am CET, 6:30pm ET (US times the previous day)

Stage 3 - Saturday, January 18 - Nairne to Stirling (Subaru Stage 3) Start at 10:00am local, 12:30am CET, 6:30pm ET (US times the previous day)

Stage 4 - Sunday, January 19 - Adelaide (Schwalbe Stage 4) Start at 4:45pm local, 7:15am CET, 1:15am ET ------------------------------------------

Adelaide, Australia time zone is ACDT 9:30 hours ahead of CET 15:30 hours ahead of U.S. ET 16:30 hours ahead of Chicago

- More 2020 Tour Down Under TV broadcast details to come...

- The 2020 Women's Tour Down Under is being held January 16-19.

- The 2020 Tour Down Under Classic (Schwalbe Classic) is being held Sunday, January 19.

- The 2020 Santos Tour Down Under is being held January 19-26.

Tour Down Under 2023: Route, stages, and startlist guide

Taking a look at all the stages for both the men's and women's Australian race

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Key Information

Where: Adelaide, South Australia

When: 14 January (Schwalbe Classic men's and women's)

Women's TDU , 15-17 January Men's TDU , 17-22 January

Rank: UCI WorldTour (men's and women's)

Distance: 672 kilometres (men's) 293 kilometres (women's)

Returning to the WorldTour after a two-year absence, the Tour Down Under lifts the curtain on the WorldTour season once more. Multiple big name riders in both the men’s and women’s peloton will be heading to Australia for the stage-race including the recently crowned Australian national road champion Luke Plapp (Ineos Grenadiers) and Grace Brown (FDJ Suez). 

Both the men’s and women’s action will begin with the Schwalbe Classic, an evening criterium on Saturday 14 January. However the criterium will have no say in the overall general classification battle. 

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The men’s race will get underway on Tuesday 17 January with a 5.5 kilometre prologue, whereas the women’s race will begin the day after the criterium on Sunday 15 January with a flat 110.4 kilometre stage between Glenelg and Aldinga. 

Men's Tour Down Under: Stages, 17-22 January

Luke Plapp will be flying the flag for Australia at this years race

The route for the 2023 men's Tour Down Under has something for everyone. There will be plenty of action in the depths of the Adelaide hills as well as other fast and furious sprint stages which should make for an excellent opener to the WorldTour season. Bringing the race back without its famous Willunga Hill climb was always going to be a brave decision, although race director Stuart O'Grady explained when presenting the 2023 route that he believes it was important to bring some "fresh faces" into the Australian stage race. 

"I think it's important to bring some new, fresh places into the Tour Down Under,” O'Grady said. "I was brought in to bring in some new innovations, some new exciting parcours and also didn't want just the same old kind of stages where everybody knows exactly what's going to happen. The new final stage brings in a lot of excitement. It's a short stage, it's aggressive, it's more central to Adelaide, so I'm guessing more and more people will get there.”

Prologue: Adelaide - Adelaide, 5.5 km

The evening prologue on Tuesday 17 January follows a 5.5 kilometre course through the Adelaide Parks and past the Adelaide Oval cricket ground in what promises to be a fast and furious affair. Unusually, the riders will have to use their road race bikes due to logistical issues with bringing all of their equipment over to Australia for the race. It's also the first time a prologue has been incorporated into the race, with race organisers clearly hoping that Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma), home favourite and time trial expert, can pull off the win and the early race lead.

Stage One: Tanunda - Tanunda, 149.9 km, Hilly

The first road stage of the 2023 men's race covers a 149.9 kilometre circuit around the city of Tanunda and and the Barossa wine area. It also features four smaller circuits which involve the Menglers Hill climb, making for a total of 2,050 metres of elevation gain. Menglers Hill isn't so challenging that the best sprinters in the world won't get over it, meaning that the likes of Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Dstny) could still be in contention towards the stage finale. 

Otherwise, a rider of the likes of Plapp could look to use the final climb with just 10 kilometres to go as a launch pad for a solo move to the finish. 

Stage Two: Brighton - Victor Harbour, 154.8 km, Hilly

The longest stage of this year's edition, stage two from Brighton to Victor Harbour is all about the coast. Riders will get to enjoy the spectacular coastline for the first portion of the route before things ramp up in the stage climax. 

The final 60 kilometres involve two challenging, categorised ascents although the flat run in could also mean a day for the sprinters once more. In 2020, Giacomo Nizzolo (Israel-Premier Tech) grabbed the victory. Ewan will be another name to watch or a rider like EF Education-EasyPost's Alberto Bettiol. The Italian can more than hold his own on short, punchy climbs and packs a devilish fast finish.

Stage Three: Norwood - Campbell Town, 116.8 km, Hilly

Stage three to Campbelltown is short but will pack a mean punch with three of Adelaide's toughest hills roped into the equation. Norton Summit, Checkers Hill and Corkscrew Road are all on the menu, providing plenty of staging posts for the high profile overall contenders to make their moves. Corkscrew Road features challenging pitches of 6.8% average gradient, with one section ramping up to more than 9%. Perhaps homegrown hero and Giro d'Italia winner Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) will look to test his early season form on the hills of Adelaide.  

Stage Four: Port Willunga - Willunga Township, 133.2 km, Flat

Normally on a stage in and around Willunga, you would expect the infamous Willunga Hill to feature somewhere in the route but this year's race misses out the legendary climb. Stage four gets underway overlooking the beach and ends in Willunga Township after 133 kilometres of mainly rolling, undulating roads. Stage four is definitely a day for the sprinters once more before the race reaches its finale on Mount Lofty the day after. 

Stage Five: Unley - Mount Lofty, 122.5 km, Hilly

Stage five to Mount Lofty will make for a spectacular finish to the 2023 edition of the race. The stage is just 112.5 kilometres long but features five ascents of Mount Lofty, which is almost certainly going to provide drama on the races final day in the heart of the Adelaide Hills. All four ascents of the devilish climb will make for more than 3,000 metres of climbing. The whole climb is 2.6 kilometres long with an average gradient of 7%. At two and then one kilometre to go there are two much more severe, steeper sections which is where the GC favourites will be expected to attack. Many talented climbers feature on the expected start list which should make for a thrilling and aggressive stage five to end the race. 

WOMEN'S TOUR DOWN UNDER: STAGES, 15-17 JANUARY

FDJ-Suez's Grace Brown will be a strong favourite for the women's race

Stage One: Glenelg - Aldinga, 110.4 km, Flat

The opening day of the women's race is a relatively flat affair along the South Australian coastline. 

With just one categorised climb on the menu, the category four Chaffey's climb, it promises to be a fast run into the finish which could provide an opportunity for the likes of Grace Brown (FDJ-Suez) to start as they mean to go on, with an opening day stage victory. 

Stage Two: Birdwood to Uraidla, 90 km, Hilly 

Stage two will be a punchy affair through the Adelaide hills, a reverse of the route taken in stage five of the men's race. The women will ascend the back of the Mount Lofty climb which is certainly set to cause some major splits in the bunch. 

If after day one Brown has taken an early lead in the GC, she will have to be well on her guard to prevent climbing experts like Brodie Chapman (Trek-Segafredo) from wrestling the overall lead from her grasp. 

Stage Three: Adelaide - Campbelltown, 93.2 km, Hilly

The grand finale for this year's women's Tour Down Under will be one for the climbers with more than 1,500 metres of elevation on offer. 

Corkscrew Road - one of the toughest climbs in the Adelaide hills - will play a starring role on the races final day and will more than likely cause some major splits. 

With sections of up to 24.4% gradients, the Corkscrew will provide a menacing test and potentially the perfect setting for the overall leader to launch an attack, and claim a final day stage win to cement their advantage. 

MEN'S START LIST

 Jayco-AIUla

Michael Matthews  (AUS) Simon Yates (GBR) Luke Durbridge (AUS) Lucas Hamilton (AUS) Michael Hepburn (AUS) Chris Harper (AUS) Campbell Stewart (NZA)

AG2R-Citroën

Ben O'Connor (AUS) Alex Baudin (FRA) Dorian Godon (FRA) Paul Lapeira (FRA) Nans Peters (FRA) Michael Schar (SWI) Damian Touze (FRA)

Arkéa-Samsic

Ewen Costiou (FRA) Mathis Le Berre (FRA) Elie Gesbert (FRA) Hugo Hofstetter (FRA) Kevin Ledanois (FRA) Łukasz Owsian (POL) Alessandro Verre (ITA

Astana Qazaqstan

Luis Leon Sanchez (SPA) Manuele Boaro (ITA) Leonardo Basso (ITA) Fabio Felline (ITA) Dmitriy Gruzdev (KAZ) Martin Laas (EST) Gianni Moscon (ITA)

Bahrain-Victorious

Pello Bilbao (SPA) Nikias Arndt (GER) Kamil Gradek (POL) Hermann Pernsteiner (AU) Cameron Scott (AUS) Jasha Sutterlin (GER)

Trek-Segafredo

Tony Gallopin (FRA) Filippo Baroncini (ITA) Marc Brustenga (SPA) Asbjorn Hellemose (DEN) Emils Liepins (LAT) Natnael Tesfazion (ERI) Antonio Tiberi (ITA)

Bryan Coquard (FRA) Francois Bidard (FRA) Davide Cimolai (ITA) Wesley Kreder (NED) Victor Lafay (FRA) Alexis Renard (FRA) Harrison Wood (FRA)

Soudal Quick-Step

Mattia Cattaneo (ITA) Josef Cerny (CZA) Dries Devenyns (BEL) James Knox (GBR) Mauro Schmid (SWI) Jannik Steimle (GER) Martin Svrcek (CZA)

Alpecin-Deceuninck

Kaden Groves (AUS) Jenson Plowright (AUS) Robert Stannard (AUS) Samuel Gayze (NZA) Senne Leysen (BEL) Oscar Riesebeek (NED) Michael Gogl (AUS)

Groupama-FDJ

Michael Storer (AUS) Miles Scotson (AUS) Lorenzo Germani (ITA) Reuben Thompson (NZA) Laurence Pithie (NZA) Paul Penhoet (FRA) Rudy Molard (FRA)

Ineos Grenadiers

Geraint Thomas (GBR) Ethan Hayter (GBR) Kim Heiduk (GER) Luke Plapp (AUS) Magnus Sheffield (USA) Ben Swift (GBR)

Intermarche-Circus-Wanty

Sven Erik Bystøom (NOR) Julius Johansen (DEN) Hugo Page (FRA) Gerben Thijssen (BEL) Taco van der Hoorn (NED) Boy Van Poppel (NED) Dion Smith (NZA)

Jumbo-Visma

Rohan Dennis (AUS) Robert Gesink (NED) Lennard Hofstede (NED) Timo Roosen (NED) Milan Vader (NED) Timo van Dijke (NED) Jos van Emden (NED)

Gorka Izaguirre (SPA) Imanol Erviti (SPA) Johan Jacobs (SWI) Oscar Rodriguez (SPA) Ivan Romeo (SPA) Sergio Samitier (SPA) Luis Guillermo Mas (SPA)

Chris Hamilton (AUS) Matt Dinham (AUS) Patrick Bevin (NZA) Romain Combaud (FRA) Tim Naberman (NED) Marius Mayrhofer (GER) Martijn Tusveld (NED)

UAE Team Emirates

Jay Vine (AUS) George Bennett (NZA) Marc Hirschi (SWI) Sjoerd Bax (NED) Alessandro Covi (ITA) Michael Vink (NZA) Finn Fisher-Black (NZA)

EF Education-EasyPost Alberto Bettiol (ITA) Mikkel Honoré (DEN) Jens Keukeleire (BEL) Sean Quinn (USA) Jonas Rutsch (GER) Thomas Scully (NZA) Lukasz Wisniowski (POL)

Bora-Hansgrohe

Jai Hindley (AUS) Marco Haller (AUS) Shane Archbold (NZA) Luis-Joe Luhrs (GER) Jordi Meeus (BEL) Max Schachmann (GER) Giovanni Aleotti (ITA)

Israel Premier-Tech

Chris Froome (GBR) Daryl Impey (RZA) Simon Clarke (AUS) Corbin Strong (NZA) Taj Jones (AUS) Sebastian Berwick (AUS) Derek Gee (CAN)

Australian National Team

Caleb Ewan (AUS) Jarrad Drizners (AUS) Graeme Frislie (AUS) Connor Leahy (AUS) Zac Marriage (AUS) James Moriarty (AUS) Liam Walsh (AUS)

WOMEN'S START LIST

Jayco- AIUla Ruby Roseman-Gannon (AUS) Alex Manly (AUS) Amber Pate (AUS) Georgia Baker (AUS) Georgia Howe (AUS) Jessica Allen (AUS)

Amanda Spratt (AUS) Lauretta Hanson (AUS) Brodie Chapman (AUS) Tayler Wiles (USA) Lisa Klein (GER) Ilaria Sanguineti (ITA)

Grace Brown (AUS) Loes Adegeest (NED) Clara Copponi (FRA) Eugenie Duval (FRA) Victorie Guilman (FRA) Gladys Verhulst (FRA)

Human Powered Health

Lily Williams (USA) Daria Pikulik (POL) Antri Christoforou (GRE) Kaia Schmid (USA) Henrietta Christie (NZA) Nina Buijsman (NED)

Israel Premier Tech Roland

Caroline Baur (SWI) Silvia Magri (ITA) Mia Griffin (IRE) Thi That N'Guyen (VIE) Claire Steels (GBR) Elena Pirrone (ITA)

EF Education-Tibco-SVB

Lauren Stephens (USA) Emma Langley (USA) Krista Doebel-Hickok (USA) Abigail Smith (GBR) Georgia Williams (NZA)

COOP-Hitec Products

Mari Mohr (NOR) Josie Nelson (GBR) Tiril Jorgenson (NOR) Sylvia Swinkels (NED) Kerry Jonker (RZA) Georgia Danford (NZA)

ZAAF Cycling

Danielle De Francesco (AUS) Elizabeth Stannard (AUS) Nikola Noskova (CZA) Michaela Drummond (NZA) Debora Silvestri (ITA) Maggie Coles-Lyster (CAN)

ARA Skip Capital

Sophie Edwards (AUS) Chloe Moran (AUS) Isabelle Carnes (AUS) Alex Martin-Wallace (AUS) Georgia Whitehouse (AUS) Rachael Wales (AUS)

Emily Watts (AUS) Gina Ricardo (AUS) Jessica Pratt (AUS) Keely Bennett (AUS) Lillee Pollock (AUS) Mia Hayden (AUS)

Nicole Frain (AUS) Rachel Neylan (AUS) Josie Talbot (AUS) Anya Louw (AUS) Haylee Fuller (AUS) Alli Anderson (AUS)

New Zealand National Team

Ally Wollaston (NZA) Bryony Botha (NZA) Ella Wyllie (NZA) Prudence Fowler (NZA) Rylee McMullen (NZA) Annamarie Lipp (NZA)

St Michel - Mavic

Roxane Fournier (FRA) Coralie Demay (FRA) Simone Boilard (CAN) Dilyxine Miermont (FRA) Sandrine Bideau (FRA) Camille Fahy (FRA)

HOW TO WATCH

We've produced a full guide detailing how to watch all of the action from the first WorldTour races of the season. Depending on where you are in the world, you may want to consider downloading an ExpressVPN to ensure you can gain access to your home broadcaster. 

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Tom joined Cycling Weekly in early 2022 and his news stories, rider interviews and features appear both online and in the magazine. 

He has reported from some of professional cycling's biggest races and events including the Tour de France and the recent Glasgow World Championships. He has also covered races elsewhere across the world and interviewed some of the sport's top riders. 

When not writing news scoops from the WorldTour, or covering stories from elsewhere in the domestic professional scene, he reports on goings on at bike shops up and down the UK, where he is based when not out on the road at races. He has also appeared on the Radio Cycling podcast. 

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Men’s Tour Down Under 2023 preview - Route, prediction and contenders

The 2023 men’s WorldTour calendar kicks off with a six-day stage race in Australia. Here’s all you need to know about the 23rd Santos Tour Down Under

Words: Rachel Jary

It’s been two long seasons since the men’s professional peloton blew off the cobwebs and opened the season on sunny Australian shores. In both 2021 and 2022, the Tour Down Under was cancelled due to restrictions following the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning the WorldTour calendar was without its flagship race in the southern hemisphere. However, in 2023, the Tour Down Under is finally back from January 17 to 22 and it boasts an exciting route as well as a stellar line-up.

After its two year hiatus, the organisers of the Tour Down Under have restarted proceedings with an event first: a city prologue around Adelaide’s central business district. A day later, road racing kicks off in stage one which looks like it should be an opportunity for the sprinters with almost 150 kilometres of racing on the flatlands of South Australia’s Barossa region. Stage two is a hillier affair to the coastal town of Victor Harbor, while stage three will see the riders take on an even more undulating 116 kilometres from Norwood to Campbelltown.

Although the race then passes through Willunga, there will be no inclusion of the race's famed Willunga Hill in 2023, with stage four looking like another chance for the sprinters. To close proceedings, we can expect fireworks on the fifth and final day as the riders skirt through the Adelaide Hills, including four ascents of the famous Mount Lofty climb. This could be where the general classification winner is decided.

Heading up a star-studded field so far are a couple of big name riders including the 2022 Giro d’Italia winner Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe), as well as local legend and former time trial world champion Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma). Newly-crowned Australian national road race champion Luke Plapp (Ineos-Grenadiers) will want to do the green and gold bands proud on home roads, and we can also expect to see his teammate, Geraint Thomas, in the fight for the overall general classification. Sprinters such as Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal) and Giacomo Nizzolo (Israel-Premier Tech) will hope to be at the pointy end of the flatter stages.

As we buckle up and get ready for the first showing of the men’s WorldTour in 2023, here is a full preview of the 2023 men’s Santos Tour Down Under.

Stage three

There are some big names who will be kicking off their season in Australia this year. Two former winners of the race have been confirmed to take part: Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma) and Daryl Impey (Israel-Premier Tech).

Image: Getty 

Dennis may struggle on some of the steeper inclines, but he’s been known to perform well in shorter stage races, leading Paris-Nice for four stages last year. Impey will be supported by a strong line-up for Israel-Premier Tech who have a number of options for this race, including Tour de France stage winner Simon Clarke . However, they are a team with sprint ambitions too, bringing former-European champion Giacomo Nizzolo and up-and-coming talent Corbin Strong , so it will be interesting to see how they balance their ambitions for both the overall classification and stage wins.

One team we can expect to focus on the general classification is the Ineos Grenadiers. They boast a strong squad for this race including former Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas , Tour of Poland 2022 winner Ethan Hayter (who could also feature heavily in bunch sprints) and young talents like Australian national champion  Luke Plapp and the American prodigy,  Magnus Sheffield . With this line-up, it looks like the British squad will be one of the main protagonists in this year’s Tour Down Under and a key team to keep an eye on.

Image: Zac Williams/SWpix

Australian WorldTour team Jayco Alula (formerly Team BikeExchange-Jayco) will also want to have a strong showing in their home country. Michael Matthews is suited to a number of the stages in the Tour Down Under as a versatile rider who can sprint and get over short climbs, so we can expect him to go for stage wins. Simon Yates will likely be this team’s protected rider for the overall GC. 

Last year’s Giro d’Italia winner  Jai Hindley  will lead the Bora-Hansgrohe squad Down Under. He is a strong contender for victory overall and will be supported by seasoned puncheur   Max Schachmann .  Pello Bilbao  of Bahrain-Victorious finished fifth in the Giro d’Italia last year and could also be in for a chance at victory in Australia, as could AG2R Citroën Team’s  Ben O’Connor .

Finally, UAE Team Emirates are a squad which we can expect to be seeing plenty of at the front of the 2023 Tour Down Under. They bring one of 2022’s breakthrough riders Jay Vine who signed for the team following his two stage wins at the Vuelta a España last year. The Emirati team also has options with George Bennett and Marc Hirschi .

When it comes to the pure sprinters, Caleb Ewan will ride the race for the UniSA-Australia national team and will be hoping to open up his 2023 win tally early in the season after a lacklustre 2022 season. Gerben Thijssen of Intermarché-Circus-Wanty is another strong sprinter, as is Kaden Groves of Alpecin-Deceuninck and Bryan Coquard of Cofidis.

It’s always tough to make predictions for the first race of the season. Some riders will come into the race with flying form, whereas others will be using the Tour Down Under as a way to open up their legs for bigger goals later in the season. It’s for this reason that we’re going to bank on an Australian rider to take victory who will be especially motivated to win in front of a home crowd. We think Rohan Dennis will reign supreme for Jumbo-Visma and will take the second victory at the Tour Down Under in his illustrious career.

Cover image: Zac Williams/SWpix

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• Women's
• Teams and Riders
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2024 Stages

In 2024, the Santos Tour Down Under stages will challenge the peloton as they race around South Australia and deliver plenty of excitement for fans.

The Santos Tour Down Under acknowledges and respects Aboriginal people as the state’s first people and nations, and recognises Aboriginal people as traditional owners and occupants of South Australian land and waters. In particular we would like to acknowledge Kaurna Peoples and their ancestral lands on which our event takes place.

MEN'S AND WOMEN'S COMBINED STAGE MAP

Friday, 12 January 2024

Ziptrak® Women's Stage 1: Hahndorf to Campbelltown

WOMEN'S

• Start: 11:10 AM, Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf
• Finish: 1:52 PM, Maryvale Road, Campbelltown
• Distance: 93.9km

Saturday, 13 January 2024

Health Partners Women's Stage 2: Glenelg to Stirling

• Start: 11:10 AM, Colley Terrace, Glenelg
• Finish: 2:23 PM, Mount Barker Road, Stirling
• Distance: 104.2km

Sunday, 14 January 2024

Hyundai Women's Stage 3: Adelaide to Willunga Hill

• Start: 11:10 AM, Wakefield Street, Adelaide
• Finish: 2:02 PM, Brookman Road, Willunga Hill
• Distance: 93.4km

Down Under Classic

• Start: 7:10 PM, Wakefield Street, Adelaide, Adelaide
• Finish: 8:15 PM, Wakefield Street, Adelaide, Adelaide
• Distance: 1.35km (1 hour + 1 lap)km

Tuesday, 16 January 2024

Ziptrak® Men's Stage 1: Tanunda to Tanunda

• Start: 11:10 AM, Murray Street, Tanunda
• Finish: 2:53 PM, Murray Street, Tanunda
• Distance: 144km

Wednesday, 17 January 2024

efex Men's Stage 2: Norwood - Lobethal

• Start: 11:10 AM, The Parade, Norwood
• Finish: 2:52 PM, Main Street, Lobethal
• Distance: 141.6km

Thursday, 18 January 2024

Health Partners Men's Stage 3: Tea Tree Gully - Campbelltown

• Start: 11:10 AM, North East Road, Tea Tree Gully
• Finish: 2:49 PM, Gorge Road, Athelstone
• Distance: 145.3km

Down Under Criterium

• Start: 7:00 PM, Victoria Park/ Pakapakanthi, Adelaide
• Finish: 8:05 PM, Victoria Park/ Pakapakanthi, Adelaide
• Distance: 1.2km (50mins + 2 lap)km

Friday, 19 January 2024

Hahn Men's Stage 4: Murray Bridge - Port Elliot

• Start: 11:10 AM, Bridge Street, Murray Bridge
• Finish: 2:48 PM, The Strand, Port Elliot
• Distance: 136.2km

Saturday, 20 January 2024

THINK! Road Safety Men's Stage 5: Christies Beach - Willunga Hill

• Start: 11:10 AM, Esplanade, Christies Beach
• Finish: 2:31 PM, Brookman Road, Willunga Hill
• Distance: 129.3km

Sunday, 21 January 2024

Schwalbe Men's Stage 6: Unley - Mount Lofty

• Start: 11:10 AM, King William Road, Unley
• Finish: 2:31 PM, Mount Lofty Summit Road, Mount Lofty
• Distance: 128.2km

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News and Updates for Tour Down Under 2020

Stage 6 post-race coverage permalink("#06-results-2020");, stage 5 post-race coverage permalink("#05-results-2020");, stage 4 post-race coverage permalink("#04-results-2020");, stage 3 post-race coverage permalink("#03-results-2020");, stage 2 post-race coverage permalink("#02-results-2020");, stage 1 post-race coverage permalink("#01-results-2020");, prologue post-race coverage permalink("#00-results-2020");, 2020 tour down under preview permalink("#preview");.

Live Video Streaming live_in_progress(getNextUnfinishedStage()) and TV Coverage permalink("#live");

2020 tour down under route map permalink("#route-map");, 2019 tour down under archived coverage, 2018 tour down under archived coverage, 2017 tour down under archived coverage, 2016 tour down under archived coverage, 2015 tour down under archived coverage, 2014 tour down under archived coverage, 2013 tour down under archived coverage, 2012 tour down under archived coverage, 2011 tour down under archived coverage, 2010 tour down under archived coverage, 2009 tour down under archived coverage, 2008 tour down under archived coverage.

2024 Men’s Tour Down Under Preview

The first world tour race of the year for the men is here, welcome to the Tour Down Under. This is a race that’s been dominated by southern hemisphere riders for many years, but this year there’s a chance we’ll get the first northern hemisphere winner since Tom-Jelte Slagter, way back in 2013. We have six stages, three sprints, two GC days and one grippy day where the outcome is currently unknown. Just like most years, it’s going to be tight and bonus seconds could go a long way to determining the winner.

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All roads lead to Willunga Hill – Women’s Tour Down Under preview

The three-day stage race that opens the 2024 Women's WorldTour and an undulating path to crowning glory

It's the second edition of the Women's Tour Down at WorldTour level, but somehow it feels like the race is stepping into a new realm again. It may still be just three stages long and still opens the year of international top-tier racing –just like before – but with more Women's WorldTour teams on the start list, a space of its own on the calendar and a weekend finale up an iconic summit finish that is set to delight both the riders who love to climb and fans.

In 2023 Grace Brown (FDJ-Suez) won the event after a tight battle with three-time winner Amanda Spratt (Lidl-Trek) but there is definitely a different twist to the friendly rivalry between former teammates heading into this year's event from Friday, January 12 to Sunday January 14. When Spratt was asked at the race press conference if the summit finish on the last stage on Willunga Hill was the point where she could get back at Brown, there was no hesitation when she answered with a chuckle 'absolutely'.

It was a course announcement which put a spring in Spratt's step as she targets a fourth title but Brown – who mowed down Spratt on the Corkscrew descent to claim victory in 2023 – was perhaps hoping that the finish line of the final stage would be placed a little differently.

Women's Tour Down Under - Nine riders to watch as race builds to Willunga finale ‘Diamonds in the legs’ for new Australian road champion Ruby Roseman-Gannon Grace Brown claims fourth Australian elite women's time trial title

"I was looking to see if the descent had been cut off the profile, but it turns out we finish at the top of Willunga," said a jovial Brown at the pre-race press conference. "But I think it is really cool that we get to race up a climb that is so iconic in the men's race and I like a challenge so we will see how I go."

Spratt and Brown may be two of the key riders to watch, but the race of course, contains a far broader list of contenders, with a dynamic road race at the Australian Championships providing a clear demonstration of the strength of the local riders in the field. Plus the start list is also delivering a growing array of international challengers.

A queen of Willunga

There has long been a heavy emphasis on the climb of Willunga in the men's Tour Down Under, with Richie Porte having claimed the mantle of King of the Mountain. The climb, however, has not been in the women's international race before. Still, one member of the WorldTour peloton has managed to carve her name on the sign post alongside Porte that outlines the fastest times and that is Sarah Gigante.

Gigante claimed the Queen of the Mountain on Willunga in 2021 when the climb was included in the Santos Festival of Cycling – the domestic replacement race for the COVID-19 cancelled international event. Going by her performance at the National Championships where she drove the pace on the climbs and claimed the Queen of the Mountain jersey, she'll be a fierce competitor again on the ascent in 2024. Still, just in case there happens to be a new fastest time on Sunday and it's not her, she made a stop on the way to the race to make sure she had a memento. 

A post shared by Sarah Gigante (@slipstreamsarah) A photo posted by on

There's also a raft of other powerful prospects, from FDJ-Suez's Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig to returning 2020 victor Ruth Edwards (Human Powered Health), the new recruit to Liv-AlUla-Jayco from New Zealand of Ella Wyllie and Neve Bradbury (Canyon-SRAM). 

Though of course while Willunga is an exciting addition to the race, the build to it will be just as crucial.

Stage 1 is certainly not flat on the route from Hahndorf to Campbelltown as the 93.9km day of racing contains 1483m of elevation gain, but it is a downhill run through the final stages. Then comes a lumpy stage 2 with 2079m of climbing from Glenelg to Stirling, with an uphill kick before the line of the 104.2km stage. Those two days should set the scene for a final showdown on the 93.4 km stage from the centre of Adelaide right to the top of Willunga Hill and its 3km climb with an average gradient of 7.4% and a maximum of 15.6%.

"I think they have done a really great job with the course this year," said Spratt. "I think there is probably a bunch sprint on the first stage and then Stirling is a bit unpredictable, it could probably go either way and then obviously we have Willunga.

"Time bonuses are going to be really crucial too, so I think we are really not going to know who is going to win until we cross that finish line in Willunga. I think there are going to be a lot of plot twists, things are going to change so I think it is going to be a really exciting race." Get unlimited access to all of our coverage of the Tour Down Under and Women’s Tour Down Under, including reporting from Australia, breaking news and analysis.  Find out more .

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Simone is a degree-qualified journalist that has accumulated decades of wide-ranging experience while working across a variety of leading media organisations. She joined Cyclingnews as a Production Editor at the start of the 2021 season and has now moved into the role of Australia Editor. Previously she worked as a freelance writer, Australian Editor at Ella CyclingTips and as a correspondent for Reuters and Bloomberg . Cycling was initially purely a leisure pursuit for Simone, who started out as a business journalist, but in 2015 her career focus also shifted to the sport.

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2024 LIV Golf Adelaide schedule, field of players, teams, prize money, purse, live stream, TV schedule

Liv golf makes its way down under for its annual event in australia.

LIV Golf returns to the land down under for the first of two international events following the Masters. The 54-hole circuit once again makes its way to LIV Golf Adelaide, where the league enjoyed tremendous success in its inaugural showing a year ago. It was Talor Gooch running away with the individual title on LIV Golf this time last year, but this year it is Joaquin Niemann.

The young Chilean has been tremendous in 2024 with a couple of LIV Golf titles to his name and a strong showing at the year's first major championship. Fresh off a top-25 result at the Masters, Niemann hopes to keep the momentum rolling in Australia. 

Outdoing Niemann at the Masters and representing one of LIV Golf's highest finisher was the man who needs no introductions to Australian golf fans, Cameron Smith. The 2022 Champion Golfer of the Year claimed another top-10 finish at Augusta National and continued a streak of solid play for the Australian. Smith has now rattled off three straight quality outings with a playoff loss to Abraham Ancer in Hong Kong. He will hope to impress his fans again as he leads his Ripper GC squad into a home game.

Ripper GC and the rest of the teams are looking up to last year's champions, Crushers GC. Bryson DeChambeau's team has opened up a wide lead over the rest of the league in large part due to their captain's play. DeChambeau contended at the Masters before ultimately finishes T6 alongside Smith. On LIV Golf, DeChambeau has connected on four straight top 10s and will look to do a hair better this week as he eyes his third trophy.

Meanwhile, players like Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm hope to bounce back from mildly disappointing Masters, with others like Gooch, Tyrrell Hatton and Patrick Reed rounding out the action.

How to watch LIV Golf Adelaide

Event:  LIV Golf Adelaide | April 26-28 Purse:  $25 million Start time : 9:45 p.m. ET  Location:  The Grange Golf Club — Adelaide, Australia Viewing info:  Thursday - Saturday: 9:30 p.m. - 2:30 a.m. (CW App & LIV Golf Plus)

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PREVIEW | Tour Down Under 2023 - World Tour returns to racing in Australia with star-studded field

The 2023 season will, some say, begin at the Tour Down Under and both female and male pelotons will travel down to Australia for some early-year good weather and a prestigious race that distributes many points aswell.

The men's Tour Down Under will be back after being cancelled twice due to Covid-19 restrictions, and will take place in the Adelaide region from the 17th to 22nd of January 2023.

The race organizers have brought the race back and with a completely different face. This is a Tour Down Under unlike any other in recent years, with a new set of stages. To begin with immediately, the riders have a 5.5-kilometer prologue in Adelaide which will set the first differences and make for an exciting day of racing. Stage 1 into Tanunda will be one for the sprinters surely, however it features a five-lap circuit with a 4.5Km; 3.7% ascent that could make it somewhat difficult for the pure sprinters if there is intention to accelerate the pace. Stage 2 into Victor Harbor won't be too different, open for both classics riders, rouleurs and sprinters to succeed depending on what race scenario develops.

You will find the stage profiles at the end of the preview .

Profiles & Route Tour Down Under 2023

Stage 3 will see a finale in Campbelltown. This may be termed the queen stage, as it features the famous ascent of the steep Corkscrew road - 2.4Km at 9%. This will be a critical point of the race for the overall classification, with the finish following the fast descent. Stage 4 will finish in Willunga, however without the ascent of the famous climb. The finish will be at it's base, it's a stage that's expected to end in a sprint, however slightly uphill, which can spice up the riders capable of fighting for it.

The final of racing will be from Unley to Mount Lofty, with an uphill start, very short distances and explosive circuit climbs. It will be a day where chaos can rule and aggressive racing can benefit, to possibly turn the GC on it's head. Besides the uphill start, the riders will ride a four-lap circuit that concludes at the top of Mount Lofty, a 8.1-kilometer long ascent that averages 3%.

Final startlist Tour Down Under 2023 with Froome, Bilbao, Matthews, S.Yates, Hindley, Hayter and Ewan

The startlist features climbers and puncheurs such as: Simon Yates, Ben O'Connor, Pello Bilbao , Victor Lafay, Mattia Cattaneo, Robert Stannard, Michael Storer, Geraint Thomas, Luke Plapp , Magnus Sheffield, Gorka Izagirre, Jay Vine , George Bennett, Alessandro Covi, Marc Hirschi , Elie Gesbert, Mikkel Honoré, Alberot Bettiol, Jai Hindley, Max Schachmann, Chris Froome and Simon Clarke.

As for the sprinters, time-trialist and other notable figures, the following will also be at the start: Michael Matthews , Gianni Moscon, Phil Bauhaus, Bryan Coquard, Kaden Groves, Ethan Hayter , Gerben Thijssen, Rohan Dennis, Patrick Bevin, Hugo Hofstetter, Jordi Meeus, Caleb Ewan and Daryl Impey.

Ethan Hayter, Luke Plapp and Geraint Thomas headline win-oriented INEOS Grenadiers at Tour Down Under

GC Contenders

The race will likely be more open than it would be in regular years. The Tour Down Under has undergone some changes during the pandemic and returned with a fresh route - even if in the same region. Old Willunga Hill is gone, and the final stage to Mount Lofty is open to attacks and raids, something the race has not seen much over many many years.

Stage three to Campbelltown will be crucial, as the corkscrew climb will be the main feature and is a climb hard enough to make meaningful differences in this race. The prologue and stage two can also create some differences, and with the likes of Michael Matthews, Ethan Hayter and Patrick Bevin present, seconds in the opening day and bonifications will always be up for grabs. In the past the race has been decided by minute gaps, this year could see similar.

However the final stage, with only 112 kilometers in distance, constant roller-coaster roads and with gaps that at that point should not be too big, can leave the race open to serious raids. Depth will be important on that day and the GC can be turnt on it's head. It will not be a good day certainly for whoever enters in the lead as the climbs are perfect for large groups to go up the road and will be very hard to chase. Simultaneously, they are not hard enough for the strongest climbers to have an obvious upper hand.

"It's an honour to come back after a lot of years away" - Michael Matthews ready to return home at Tour Down Under

UAE - A very dangerous and strong lineup. With a fresh batch of signings, UAE is taking no time to put Jay Vine to use and he has already shown form by winning the Australian time-trial national championships. Vine will be a strong climber that can benefit from conservative races, whilst the team has Alessandro Covi and Marc Hirschi who are capable of thriving in the more explosive terrain and sprints.

INEOS - For me the most dangerous team in the race. INEOS have Ethan Hayter who is almost the perfect rider for this race, and will not be easy to beat in such terrain. The prologue and hilly stages will be ideal for the Briton who can snatch many seconds in all stages but perhaps Campbelltown. There he will have to limit losses. The team will count on new national champion Luke Plapp there however who has his climbing legs sharp. The same can be said of Magnus Sheffield who should thrive in the rolling terrain.

Simon Yates & Michael Matthews - Having the pressure of being the home team, Team Jayco AlUla brought in the big guns. Simon Yates will be a wildcard, an inconsistent rider however one oft he best climbers in the world on his best day, and he could be a serious threat to the GC if he finds himself with good legs. However the team may fancy the chances of Michael Matthews more, who shown form to finish on the podium of the nationals, and like Ethan Hayter should be able to grab bonifications and an early advantage in the prologue.

Pello Bilbao - After a long off-season Pello Bilbao is back in the mix after a strong 2022 season. The Basque has a tradition of starting his seasons strong and with his mix of climbing and sprinting capacity, he will be an incredibly complicated rider to keep away whatever stage it may be.

Jai Hindley & Max Schachmann - Jai Hindley is perhaps away from his favoured terrain, but in the Corkscrew he can do some damage if his build-up was nice. The team can eye a strong result for Max Schachmann too however, who on his best day would be a prime favourite for this race the way the stages have been designed.

The GC can surely see more men in the mix. Home riders Rohan Dennis and Ben O'Connor will be wildcards. Israel comes in with Corbin Strong and Daryl Impey ... Simon Clarke is expected to be at the start but a late Covid-19 infection may derail his ambitions, and of course Chris Froome is motivated to get his season on a roll! Patrick Bevin will be another very dangerous rider in the mix.

Chris Froome optimistic upon return to Tour Down Under: "we can hit the ground running with some great results"

Prediction Time

*** E.Hayter, Vine ** Hirschi, Plapp, Bilbao * Covi, Sheffield, Matthews, S.Yates, Schachmann, Hindley, O'Connor, Clarke, Bevin

Who do you think will win the overall classification at the Tour Down Under?

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