Buitrago, Romo, Martin and Strong confirmed for 2026 Tour Down Under - Four more teams announce lineup for Australian race

With the 2026 Tour Down Under now less than a week away, the picture is rapidly taking shape. Most teams have already finalised their selections, with many riders long since on the ground in Australia. As the days tick down, more squads are confirming their line-ups, adding further clarity to a startlist that is close to complete and steadily growing in strength.

Among the teams now made official are those built around Javier Romo and Santiago Buitrago — two riders widely regarded as leading contenders for the ochre jersey when racing gets underway in Adelaide.

Santiago Buitrago
Zak Ezren
Fran Miholjevic
Robert Stannard
Oliver Stockwell
Max van der Meulen
Edoardo Zambanini

Bahrain is a team that is putting a lot of resources into the season's opener, with Santiago Buitrago taking part in the race as a rider who can make the difference in the short punchy climbs often. Earlier this winter he confirmed to us he would start the season in Australia and will then return to Colombia for the national championships; meaning that his form should be quite strong.

But the team also has Edoardo Zambanini as a rising force and potential GC candidate in the team, having put on several strong performances over the last few years and having a sprint that allows him to chase bonifications throughout the race. Zak Ezren, Fran Mihljevic, Robert Stannad, Oliver Stockwell and Max van der Meulen complete the lineup.

Lewis Bower
Rémi Cavagna
Tom Donnenwirth
Titouan Fontaine
Kevin Geniets
Guillaume Martin
Enzo Paleni

Groupama - FDJ will go to Australia with a young lineup and a few leaders. A top result isn't expected but with Guillaume Martin and Kevin Geniets present the team can aim for a Top10 and be in contention for the hilly stages. Rémi Cavagna's presence makes the team a contender for the opening prologue; whilst the lineup also features Lewis Bouwer, Tom Donnenwirth, Titouan Fontaine and Enzo Paleni.

Jefferson Alveiro Cepeda
Manlio Moro
Pavel Novak
Javier Romo
Gonzalo Serrano
Natnael Tesfatsion
Albert Torres

Movistar are an important team in the Australian race and bring a strong team including Javier Romo who was a stage winner, leader for several days, and eventual second place finisher in the overall classification. He is longer going to be an underdog, however that is not necessarily a problem as the team features Jefferson Alveiro Cepeda, Gonzalo Serrano, Natnael Tesfatsion and Pavel Novak all as riders who are capable of performing on the climbs an giving the team good depth to take a strong result. Albert Torres and Manlio Moro complete the lineup as men who will help Romo with positioning.

George Bennett
Simon Clarke
Brady Gilmore
Nick Schultz
Jake Stewart
Corbin Strong
Ethan Vernon

Lastly NSN Cycling Team will also make their debut in the World Tour with a team that is capable of fighting for stage wins and also the overall classification. After last year's tremendous climbing performance at the Arctic Race of Norway, it is very reasonable to assume Corbin Strong can replicate that at the Old Willunga Hill, whilst his sprinting ability makes him a strong contender to win big.

Strong will be joined by compatriot George Bennett; whilst the team features three home riders in Nick Schultz, Brady Gilmore, and Simon Clarke who will retire soon and has here one of his final races. Ethan Vernon and Jake Stewart will form a strong duo for the bunch sprints, although it is quite possible that amongst the three sprinters, there will be opportunities split amongst them.