Tour Down Under 2026 (Men's, Jan. 20-25)

[Alexandre B.]

What’s the point of watching cycling again?

 

[Devil's Elbow]

I see the sport is still badly broken…

 

[tobydawq]

I see the sport is still badly broken…

To be fair, when Harry Sweeny seems like the strongest opponent, a UAE dominance is not surprising.

That doesn't make it more fun, though.

 

[yaco]

Danish TV2's preview of the race said there will be a significant headwind on the final climb and on the final run-in tomorrow. Is that still the case? If so, I think there might be more separation to be had on Willunga, where according to that preview there will be tailwind. But forecast could have changed, of course.

The Willunga stage will go to a break. It will be 42c and the peleton will not chase.

 

[yaco]

What finish did you watch? Welsford didn't really get to open his sprint at all but that aside Brennan was definitely moving quicker.

I watched the finish on the ground at the race.

 

[KZD]

Great power demonstration from the UAE guys, Vine in particular looked sublime.

 

[yaco]

I reckon if there was no Vine then Narvaez would have been caught by the second group. Jayco needs to more effectively program their riders. Porter and McKenzie are not good enough while OConnor does not suit this race,

 

[yaco]

It was great to see Spartacus at the race for the first time and to see him debriefing his riders at the finish.

 

[Red Rick]

Delete this *** sport man.

 

[Berniece]

What's the point of going all the way to TDU if you're going to ride so ***. Looking at riders of the level of LVE, FFB, and Buitrago.

 

[Bertram Wooster]

Van Eetvelt, Strong, FBF, Cepeda, Bagioli, Buitrago, Velasco, Zambanini, Dinham, Haig, ... all named among the outsiders apparently lost a lot of time...

 

[Berniece]

Also the worst part now is that UAE is so strong, they can just control the race. There is barely any shot at trying something

 

[stefank]

What about the roadside reporter guy? I find him crazily annoying. What is the name of the guy in the booth with LIgget and McEwan? He's a good commentator.

The roadside guy I think is James Tobin. All I can tell you is that he makes me glad to have a mute button.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Van Eetvelt, Strong, FBF, Cepeda, Bagioli, Buitrago, Velasco, Zambanini, Dinham, Haig, ... all named among the outsiders apparently lost a lot of time...

Van Eetvelt, Buitrago and FFB were more than outsiders here, probably the biggest threats to UAE on paper going into the prologue. Obviously not everyone is in form at this race but FFB was up there last year, Buitrago usually starts the year in monster form and Van Eetvelt appeared to have been training hard for this one. I think all three will now be very worried they've ****ed up somewhere this winter.

 

[AlfaLum]

Van Eetvelt, Buitrago and FFB were more than outsiders here, probably the biggest threats to UAE on paper going into the prologue. Obviously not everyone is in form at this race but FFB was up there last year, Buitrago usually starts the year in monster form and Van Eetvelt appeared to have been training hard for this one. I think all three will now be very worried they've ****ed up somewhere this winter.

Agreed, FFB looked reasonable on the climb at first but than he broke completely.

I think in normal shape the guys you mentioned should be more competitive than they were today. Sucks, because the race is already over now heading into Willunga.

 

[Cycling111]

FFB is one of the most overrated riders. He's always struggled on climbs, but they still see him as a contender on climbing stages.

O'Connor's level has dropped since last year, although he won a stage in the Tour, it was a little disappointing after 2024.

Today's disappointment was Buitrago. For me, he was the only rider in this race with the potential for the GC.

The rest of the participation for the GC is of a lower level than in previous years. If FFB is considered a contender, it means the level is very low.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

UAE peaked too early this year, flying at a winter training race. Schoolboy mistake. Roglic and his belgien sidekick will drop them all in July

 

[Salvarani]

Grande Vine!

 

[Samu Cuenca]

UAE peaked too early this year, flying at a winter training race. Schoolboy mistake. Roglic and his belgien sidekick will drop them all in July

Well one can hope.

 

[Berniece]

FFB is one of the most overrated riders. He's always struggled on climbs, but they still see him as a contender on climbing stages.

Pogacar wasn't even able to drop him on Jebel Jais

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Harry Sweeny is the new Jonas Vingegaard:

‘I thought my power meter was broken’ - Harry Sweeny utilises unexpectedly strong form to move up to fourth overall on stage 2 of the Tour Down Under

Canadian teammate Michael Leonard moves into top 10 on GC and reclaims best young rider jersey

www.cyclingnews.com

 

[Tim Cahill]

Luckily the TNT sports preview graphic for the race completely ruined the outcome so non Australians and late risers didn’t even need to bother watching. Valenciana can’t come quick enough.

 

[Samamba]

Van Eetvelt, Buitrago and FFB were more than outsiders here, probably the biggest threats to UAE on paper going into the prologue. Obviously not everyone is in form at this race but FFB was up there last year, Buitrago usually starts the year in monster form and Van Eetvelt appeared to have been training hard for this one. I think all three will now be very worried they've ****ed up somewhere this winter.

Van Eetvelt crashed apparently (of course when does he not), there were a lot of crashes i heard so could be that others were involved too. 4 of 7 Lotto riders went down today.

 

[Samamba]

Sweeny should be on the top of the list of some top teams for next transfer season btw. Had like 1 or 2 bad seasons due to crashes but always been very talented and would be a perfect domestique.

Not that I want him to leave EF ofc. He's good there.

 

[Cycling111]

Pogacar wasn't even able to drop him on Jebel Jais

Jebel Jais has typically been a hilly sprint with up to 15 riders. Being on Jebel Jais for a day doesn't erase the other 99%.
Alaphilippe won one time trial in the Tour. We must consider him a legendary time trialist.

It's possible FFB will be on Willunga if it's another hilly sprint.
He's generally disappointing on the tougher stages. He was close to winning the Giro di Sicilia and again collapsed on the queen stage.