Santos Tour Down cycling festival returns with all 15 women’s WorldTeams on start line and new race route

July 17, 2025

Events / Sport / Tourism /

The Santos Tour Down cycling festival returns to South Australia for 10 days from 16^th - 25^th January 2026 with for the first time in TDU history, all 15 women’s WorldTeams set to be on the start line in Adelaide for the women’s race from 17^th -19^th January.

The event is the first race in the world to offer equal prize money for women and men and race directors have designed a fresh and interesting course that showcases Adelaide as well as the Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Fleurieu Peninsula, and the communities and towns that make the event so special.

The event begins with a teams presentation in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga followed by the women’s race covering more kilometres than ever, and a revamped men’s race from 20th-25th January.

The CBD will roar to life on 20th January when the men’s race begins with an inner-city prologue.

Last held as part of the TDU in 2023, the race against the clock is returning for next year’s event, complete with the time trial-style start ramp and hot seat for the leader.

The 3.6km prologue will begin just outside the City of Adelaide Tour Village in Victoria Square, taking riders east on Wakefield Street, south on East Terrace and entering Victoria Park via Halifax Street where they will do one lap and finish in front of the heritage grandstand.

It means the race for the Santos Ochre Leader’s Jersey will be on in earnest from the opening day before the sprinter and climber-friendly stages showcase the state’s internationally renowned natural beauty through the hills and along the coast.

Further race programming will be confirmed in coming weeks but popular participation rides including the Adelaide Epic, RADL GRVL, Health Partners Family Ride and the Carpark Climb will return, along with the City of Adelaide Tour Village and Bike Expo.

SA Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison enthused “we are delighted to share with everyone the race routes for next year’s Santos Tour Down Under which we know is a catalyst for interstate and overseas cycling fans to plan and book their annual January holidays to South Australia.

“Earlier this year we celebrated the event’s 25th birthday which saw approximately 807,900 people attending the event, helping generate $62.5 million for the state’s economy. Now we want to take that momentum into next year where once again the eyes of the world will be on South Australia for 10 days when we host the biggest bike race in the southern hemisphere.”

Stuart O’Grady, Race Director Santos Tour Down Under added “Next year’s race routes look like the most exciting we’ve ever had, based on a number of changes we believe will make for more entertaining racing.

“Feedback from men’s teams was they wanted a more attacking race, so we have brought the prologue back which creates an opportunity for riders targeting the ochre jersey to take time from the very first day.

“And I’m sure the atmosphere from the city to Victoria Park will rival any time trial anywhere in the world.

“We’ve also added some new challenges like two climbs up Corkscrew Road that will be a real GC shaker, and the final day has moved from a sprint-friendly stage in the city to a really hard circuit around Stirling where anything could happen.

“The peloton will do eight laps of a 21km circuit with plenty of short, punchy climbs which means the race for the ochre jersey could go down to the very last kilometre.”

Features of the 2026 women’s race include:

The first time all 15 WorldTeams are set to be on the start line, racing the longest ever women’s TDU at 395km.
A 137km opening stage starting and finishing in Willunga and taking in Port Willunga, McLaren Vale and Aldinga.
For the first time in history, the peloton will race up the Corkscrew climb twice on a thrilling last day on Hyundai Stage 3.
Fan-friendly locations Norwood and Magill on the city fringe and picturesque Willunga to host stage starts for the first time.

Features of the 2026 men’s race include:

A 3.6km twilight prologue taking riders from the heart of the CBD to Victoria Park.
Idyllic seaside suburb Henley Beach hosting a stage start and the Mount Barker Council town of Nairne hosting a stage finish – both for the first time.
Two ascensions of the fan-friendly Corkscrew on Health Partners Stage 2.
Riders tackling the iconic Willunga Hill climb three times on the queen stage and penultimate day.
A thrilling finale in Stirling with the last stage to test the peloton over eight laps of an undulating 21km circuit.

Image. Santos Tour Down Under 2025

28th May 2025 - Record success for Santos Tour Down Under 25th anniversary edition

4th February 2025 - 25th edition of Santos Tour Down Under a success for riders, teams and community

25th October 2024 - City of Perth, TDC, Parrtjima and Santos Tour Down Under among 2024 National Events Award winners

11th January 2023 - Extinction Rebellion protesters set to target Santos Tour Down Under

10th November 2022 - Melbourne AFL Premiership captain to spruik 2023 Santos Festival of Cycling program

24th January 2022 - Tennis Australia and Santos end partnership after just one year

19th January 2021 - Santos Festival of Cycling to abide by COVID Management Plan

11th January 2020 - Adelaide Hills Council hopes Santos Tour Down will boost fire impacted communities

23rd January 2019 - Santos to retain naming rights sponsorship for Tour Down Under

11th January 2018 - Santos Tour Down Under aims for biggest ever crowds

17th January 2017 - Extreme heat shortens first stage of Santos Tour Down Under

19th January 2015 - 2015 Santos Tour Down Under set to be the best ever

22nd May 2014 - Record economic impact for 2014 Santos Tour Down Under

14th September 2012 - Double win for 2012 Santos Tour Down Under

7th October 2011 - Santos Tour Down Under sets the pace at 2011 Australian Event Awards

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