The Santos Tour Down Under is here, and it's a big deal for road cycling fans. After a long, dark winter of contract chats and cyclocross, the race is back to save our souls. This year, the men's and women's Aussie races are more than just a warm-up; they're setting the tone for the new season. Here's a breakdown of what to expect from the Tour Down Under and why it matters.
Women's Tour Down Under: Jan 17-19
- 2025 winner: Noemi Rüegg
- Stages: 1 sprint, 2 hilly intermediates
- 2026 headliners: Rüegg, Vallieres, Dygert, Bradbury, Roseman-Gannon, Garcia, Spratt
Men's Tour Down Under: Jan 20-25
- 2025 winner: Jhonatan Narváez
- Stages: 1 prologue, 1 sprint, 2 hilly/intermediate, 2 GC slugfests
- 2026 headliners: Narváez, Vine, Brennan, O'Connor, Plapp, Lamperti
Women's One-Day Race: Jan 21
- 2025 winner: N/A (first edition)
- 2026 headliners: As above for stage race
UAE Emirates' Pressure to Repeat: UAE Emirates-XRG dominated in 2025 and aims to do it again. Despite not having Tadej Pogačar, they have a strong roster led by defending champion Jhonatan Narváez, who's motivated to build on their success.
SD Worx's Warpath: SD Worx-Protime makes its debut at the Tour Down Under, aiming to reclaim its position as the women's peloton powerhouse. Former rider Demi Vollering, now with a French team, crushed the UCI league last year. SD Worx wants the rankings, individual wins, and more.
Boy Wonder Brennan's Super-Hype Season: Matthew Brennan, a 20-year-old, is a rising star in pro cycling. He finished second on the opening stage of the TDU last year and is back with Visma-Lease a Bike. With stages suited to his fast finishing kick, he's a hot prospect to watch.
New Jersey and Ambition for Vallieres: Magdelene Vallieres, the wildcard world champion, brings a fresh set of Assos-designed rainbow bands and a new ambition to the Tour Down Under. She'll race for EF Education-Oatly alongside defending champion Noemi Rüegg, aiming to prove last year wasn't a fluke.
Jayco-AlUla's Aussie Redemption: Jayco-AlUla's men's team needs a reset after a tough 2025. Luke Plapp, Luke Durbridge, and Ben O'Connor had disappointing seasons, and the squad suffered key exits. The team is motivated to avoid another tactical disaster and aims to turn things around on home soil.
