Nicola Rutzou
The 2026 Tour Down Under race details have been unveiled, and a few changes to previous editions should make next year’s event even more exciting.
For the women’s race, which runs from Saturday, 17 January, to Monday, 19 January 2026, all 15 WorldTeams are set to be on the start line for the first time, racing the longest ever women’s TDU at 395km.
The opening stage for the women starts out of town in Willunga and races for 137km, taking in Port Willunga, McLaren Vale and Aldinga. On the final stage, for the first time in the history of the race, the women’s peloton will race up the Corkscrew climb twice, which should make for a thrilling and decisive last day.
The men’s race, which includes five stages plus an opening prologue, runs from Tuesday, 20 January to Sunday, 25 January 2026. The opening twilight prologue takes riders from the heart of the CBD to Victoria Park.
During Stage 2, the men will also complete two Corkscrew climbs, while Stage 4, the Queen’s stage, will include the iconic Willunga Hill climb three times. Fans will see plenty of the riders on the final stage when they complete eight laps of an undulating 21km circuit around Stirling.
Santos Tour Down Under Race Director Stuart O’Grady said, “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,” said O’Grady.
Santos Tour Down Under Assistant Race Director Carlee Taylor said, “The level of women’s racing at the TDU continues to improve every year, and like the men, the feedback from riders and teams has been they want longer and harder stages.
“So from day one of the season we start with our longest ever women’s stage with 137km in Willunga which will be a great spectacle.
“But the most exciting addition to the race is Hyundai Stage 3 which starts in Norwood for the first time and includes two climbs up Corkscrew Road, the second ascent coming 5km before the finish in Campbelltown so we expect that to be very popular among spectators and the riders,” said Taylor.
Santos Tour Down Under Women’s Race
Ziptrak Stage 1: Willunga to Willunga (137.4km), Saturday, January 17
Health Partners Stage 2: Magill to Paracombe (130.7km), Sunday, January 18
Hyundai Stage 3: Norwood to Campbelltown (126.5km), Monday, January 19
Santos Tour Down Under Men’s Race
PROLOGUE: Adelaide (3.6km), Tuesday, January 20
Stage 1: Tanunda to Tanunda (120.6km), Wednesday, January 21
Health Partners Stage 2: Norwood to Uraidla (148.1km), Thursday, January 22
Ziptrak Stage 3: Henley Beach to Nairne (140.8km), Friday, January 23
THINK! Road Safety Stage 4: Brighton to Willunga Hill (176km), Saturday, January 24
efex Stage 5: Stirling to Stirling (169.8km), Sunday, January 25
