WorldTour Season Ignites in Adelaide: Your Complete Guide to the 2026 Santos Tour Down Under
ADELAIDE, 17 January 2026 – The global cycling calendar bursts into life next week as the southern hemisphere summer plays host to the opening salvos of the UCI WorldTour. The 26th edition of the Santos Tour Down Under, renowned as Australia’s greatest cycling race, promises a festival of speed, strategy, and searing heat across South Australia from 17 to 25 January. With defending champions returning, a brutally redesigned route, and a record-strength women’s field, the 2026 edition is poised to be the most competitive and demanding on record.
A Festival of Two Races
The 2026 programme features two distinct WorldTour events embedded within a vibrant community festival. The Women’s Tour Down Under (17-19 January) kicks off the action with a three-stage battle, featuring all 14 Women’s WorldTour teams for the first time ever due to new UCI participation rules. The Men’s Tour Down Under (20-25 January) follows, comprising a short, explosive prologue and five demanding road stages. The event hub, the free City of Adelaide Tour Village on Victoria Square, will be the epicentre for fans, featuring team zones, expos, and family activities daily from 11:00 am.
The 2026 Routes: “The Toughest on Record”
Race director and two-time winner Stuart O’Grady has labelled the 2026 parcours the most attritional in the event’s history. For the men, a 3.6 km prologue on road bikes returns to Adelaide, creating immediate time gaps. The queen stage on 24 January is unprecedented, featuring three ascents of the iconic Willunga Hill (3.0 km at 7.5%) before a summit finish. The finale in Stirling on 25 January is a 169.8 km circuit race described by O’Grady as a “world championship-style” loop with relentless climbing, ensuring the ochre jersey is contested until the final kilometre.
The women’s race, while shorter, is no less demanding. The defining climb of Corkscrew Road (2.4 km at 9.7%) features twice on the final stage from Norwood to Campbelltown, promising a dramatic showdown for the general classification.
Key Facts & Contenders
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Men’s Defending Champion | Jhonatan Narváez (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) |
| Women’s Defending Champion | Noemi Rüegg (EF Education-Oatly) |
| Men’s Race Dates | 20 – 25 January 2026 (Prologue + 5 stages) |
| Women’s Race Dates | 17 – 19 January 2026 (3 stages) |
| Total Distance (Men) | 758.9 km |
| Total Distance (Women) | 394.6 km |
| Men’s GC Favourites | Jhonatan Narváez, Jay Vine, Adam Yates (all UAE), Ben O’Connor (Jayco AlUla), Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) |
| Men’s Sprint Favourites | Sam Welsford (INEOS Grenadiers), Matthew Brennan (Visma | Lease a Bike), Alberto Dainese (Soudal Quick-Step) |
| Women’s GC Favourites | Noemi Rüegg, Amanda Spratt (Lidl-Trek), Gaia Realini (Lidl-Trek), Magdeleine Vallieres (EF Education-Oatly) |
| Hall of Fame Inductee | Richie Porte (Four-time TDU winner) |
Star-Studded Start Lists and Team Tactics
The men’s peloton of 140 riders features all 18 WorldTeams. Defending champion Narváez leads a formidable UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad that includes 2023 winner Jay Vine and Grand Tour star Adam Yates, giving them multiple cards to play. INEOS Grenadiers, with new signing Sam Welsford targeting sprint stages and Jack Haig eyeing the GC, pose a major threat. Home hopes rest heavily on the shoulders of Jayco AlUla’s Ben O’Connor and Luke Plapp.
The women’s race marks a historic moment with full attendance from the top-tier teams. Defending champion Noemi Rüegg returns with a strong EF Education-Oatly team, while the experienced Amanda Spratt and climbing talent Gaia Realini lead a powerful Lidl-Trek outfit. The depth of the field suggests a wide-open and tactical battle.
How to Watch and Festival Highlights
In Australia, the Seven Network will provide comprehensive live coverage across its channels and 7plus streaming service. International broadcast details are being finalised. Beyond the racing, the festival includes the Adelaide Epic Ride for amateurs on the Stage 3 route, the RADL GRVL gravel event featuring F1 champion Valtteri Bottas, and numerous community celebrations along the route in the Adelaide Hills. Spectators are urged to plan ahead for significant road closures and utilise public transport or shuttle bus services, particularly for the finale in Stirling where 100,000 spectators are expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 Tour Down Under start?
The Women’s WorldTour race begins on Saturday 17 January 2026. The Men’s WorldTour race starts with a prologue on Tuesday 20 January 2026.
Who are the defending champions?
Jhonatan Narváez of UAE Team Emirates-XRG is the defending men’s champion. Noemi Rüegg of EF Education-Oatly is the defending women’s champion.
What is the key climb?
Willunga Hill (3.0 km at 7.5%) remains the iconic climb, featuring three times on the men’s Stage 4. Corkscrew Road (2.4 km at 9.7%) is the pivotal climb for the women’s race, tackled twice on the final stage.
How can I watch the race?
In Australia, watch live on the Seven Network and 7plus. Check local listings for international broadcast partners. The official Tour Down Under website and app will also provide live tracking and coverage.