Noemi Rüegg excels on Willunga Hill and takes Tour Down Under lead with stage win

Noemi Rüegg has won the queen stage of the women's 2025 Tour Down Under on Willunga Hill. The Swiss rider of EF Education-Oatly demonstrated on the toughest ramps of the Australian climb to finish 10 seconds ahead of Dutch rider Silke Smulders (Liv AlUla Jayco).

Behind the two strongest riders came a group of five riders 26 seconds behind the winner: Mie Bjorndal Ottestad, Neve Bradbury, Dominika Wlodarczyk, Justine Ghekiere and Elise Chabbey. Former race leader Daniek Hengeveld was dropped on the first ascent of the Australian climb, and the differences at the finale were huge which gives Rüegg a very high chance of sealing the ochre jersey tomorrow.

The overall before the third and final stage with a hard circuit in Stirling (105.9 km) is commanded by a Rüegg who is 15 seconds ahead of Smulders and 33 seconds ahead of Ottestad. It will be difficult for her to escape given her strength today, although the terrain gives rise to the possibility that someone may try to surprise her.