- Feb 9, 2013
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I'm aware some folk don't consider this a "real" race and would prefer for it to remain in the generic "hot racing coming up in Australia" thread, but the startlist isn't too bad, points are points, and I think our Aussie friends deserve a bit of the spotlight too! So without any further ado here's the startlist: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/tour-down-under/2026/startlist/startlist
And of course some maps and profiles, the writeups I borrowed from TDU's official website. https://tourdownunder.com.au/
Prologue | Adelaide - Adelaide (3.6 km)
Our 3.6-kilometre prologue will begin just beyond the City of Adelaide Tour Village in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga and continue east to finish after a lap of the Victoria Park criterium circuit.
Riders are set to stay close to home, warming up in their team booths before descending from the start ramp and pushing hard for the line.
Shorter, dynamic cyclists are expected to dominate here, with the leader to take their place in our hot seat while the action plays out. A special exemption means cyclists will contest the prologue on road rather than time-trial bikes, as was the case when this curtain-raiser made its 2023 debut.
Stage 1 | Tanunda - Tanunda (120.6 km)
We’ll see riders tackle 120.6 kilometres through world-famous wine country, starting and finishing along Murray Street in Tanunda.
Stage 1 will pass landmarks including the new Barossa Park sporting precinct, ascend Menglers Hill and wind between vineyards before sprinters’ leadout trains begin to take shape. Clockwise loops through Tanunda mean plenty of vantage points for fans, while the nearby town of Lyndoch will also greet the peloton.
Stage 2 | Norwood - Uraidla (148.1 km)
Incline? You bet. Health Partners Stage 2 promises 148.1 kilometres of all-out effort as cyclists race from inner-city Norwood to Uraidla in the Adelaide Hills.
Three huge climbs are on the agenda, with a grind up Norton Summit followed by a visit to Mt Lofty and the men’s first dual ascent of notorious Corkscrew Road.
Two sweeping loops through communities including Crafers, Piccadilly, Lobethal and Cudlee Creek will keep the world’s best busy – and anything is possible as they make a last push to the line.
Stage 3 | Henley Beach - Nairne (140.8 km)
We start the day in Henley: beloved by beachgoers and ready for its Santos Tour Down Under debut. This 140-kilometre third stage is set to head south to Flagstaff Hill and Coromandel Valley before visiting Adelaide Hills communities including Clarendon, Kangarilla, Meadows and Echunga.
Climbers will step it up on the steep slopes of Wickham Hill at McLaren Flat and Mount Barker’s Summit Road, with a sprint in Echunga before a 19-kilometre loop leading to a final showdown in Nairne.
It will be the first men’s stage finish in this picturesque town, and a chance for GC contenders to tighten the screws with more big climbs to come.
Stage 4 | Brighton - Willunga Hill (176 km)
We all know Willunga Hill: scene of so much Santos Tour Down Under history and epic efforts from riders including Richie Porte and Sarah Gigante. But never before have we seen three ascents of its slopes – and the resulting impact on contenders for overall victory.
Who can deliver when it counts? We’ll find out on this 176-kilometre queen stage. Action begins in beachside Brighton and will travel through McLaren Vale before climbers come out to play.
Look for coastal sprints at Aldinga’s Snapper Point, and plenty of team tactics en route to a summit finish after the third and final push.
Stage 5 | Stirling - Stirling (169.8 km)
It’s up, it’s down and it’s on as the men chase victory on this final day of racing. Stirling is set to host the stage start and finish, with scenic loops through towns including Mylor and Aldgate inviting fans to embrace the action.
At nearly 170 kilometres this is among the longest closing stages in Santos Tour Down Under history, chosen by race director Stuart O’Grady OAM to keep the world’s best working strategically until the very last moment.
We’ll see a two-kilometre climb on approach to Stirling, sprints in Heathfield and a weary winner emerge after a huge day in the saddle.
And of course some maps and profiles, the writeups I borrowed from TDU's official website. https://tourdownunder.com.au/
Prologue | Adelaide - Adelaide (3.6 km)
Our 3.6-kilometre prologue will begin just beyond the City of Adelaide Tour Village in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga and continue east to finish after a lap of the Victoria Park criterium circuit.
Riders are set to stay close to home, warming up in their team booths before descending from the start ramp and pushing hard for the line.
Shorter, dynamic cyclists are expected to dominate here, with the leader to take their place in our hot seat while the action plays out. A special exemption means cyclists will contest the prologue on road rather than time-trial bikes, as was the case when this curtain-raiser made its 2023 debut.
Stage 1 | Tanunda - Tanunda (120.6 km)
We’ll see riders tackle 120.6 kilometres through world-famous wine country, starting and finishing along Murray Street in Tanunda.
Stage 1 will pass landmarks including the new Barossa Park sporting precinct, ascend Menglers Hill and wind between vineyards before sprinters’ leadout trains begin to take shape. Clockwise loops through Tanunda mean plenty of vantage points for fans, while the nearby town of Lyndoch will also greet the peloton.
Stage 2 | Norwood - Uraidla (148.1 km)
Incline? You bet. Health Partners Stage 2 promises 148.1 kilometres of all-out effort as cyclists race from inner-city Norwood to Uraidla in the Adelaide Hills.
Three huge climbs are on the agenda, with a grind up Norton Summit followed by a visit to Mt Lofty and the men’s first dual ascent of notorious Corkscrew Road.
Two sweeping loops through communities including Crafers, Piccadilly, Lobethal and Cudlee Creek will keep the world’s best busy – and anything is possible as they make a last push to the line.
Stage 3 | Henley Beach - Nairne (140.8 km)
We start the day in Henley: beloved by beachgoers and ready for its Santos Tour Down Under debut. This 140-kilometre third stage is set to head south to Flagstaff Hill and Coromandel Valley before visiting Adelaide Hills communities including Clarendon, Kangarilla, Meadows and Echunga.
Climbers will step it up on the steep slopes of Wickham Hill at McLaren Flat and Mount Barker’s Summit Road, with a sprint in Echunga before a 19-kilometre loop leading to a final showdown in Nairne.
It will be the first men’s stage finish in this picturesque town, and a chance for GC contenders to tighten the screws with more big climbs to come.
Stage 4 | Brighton - Willunga Hill (176 km)
We all know Willunga Hill: scene of so much Santos Tour Down Under history and epic efforts from riders including Richie Porte and Sarah Gigante. But never before have we seen three ascents of its slopes – and the resulting impact on contenders for overall victory.
Who can deliver when it counts? We’ll find out on this 176-kilometre queen stage. Action begins in beachside Brighton and will travel through McLaren Vale before climbers come out to play.
Look for coastal sprints at Aldinga’s Snapper Point, and plenty of team tactics en route to a summit finish after the third and final push.
Stage 5 | Stirling - Stirling (169.8 km)
It’s up, it’s down and it’s on as the men chase victory on this final day of racing. Stirling is set to host the stage start and finish, with scenic loops through towns including Mylor and Aldgate inviting fans to embrace the action.
At nearly 170 kilometres this is among the longest closing stages in Santos Tour Down Under history, chosen by race director Stuart O’Grady OAM to keep the world’s best working strategically until the very last moment.
We’ll see a two-kilometre climb on approach to Stirling, sprints in Heathfield and a weary winner emerge after a huge day in the saddle.
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