PREVIEW | Tour Down Under 2024 stage 2 - Hilly finale provides opportunity for explosive GC battle
Cycling
Preview. Stage 2 of the Tour Down Under features a significantly harder profile than the opening day, and it may prove to be an important day for the overall classification. Sam Welsford's lead will be put to the test.
Stage 2 into Lobethal is a relatively open day. Short on the bike and with another circuit, however the final three-lap circuit features some hilltops where attacks can come. Here the racing will be open, the GC can be played for, but a sprint is also possible. It is a day with a 10-kilometer climb right from the start, although not many are likely to risk it all at this point in the race. However it's an interesting and explosive start for a 141-kilometer day.
Stage 2: Norwood - Lobethal, 141.6 kilometers
Then we have a three-lap circuit around Lobethal, not too different than the previous day. three small ascents to note. 1Km at 5.7% with 20 kilometers to go, 1.6Km at 7.5% with 8.5 kilometers to go, and 600 meters at 5.6% with only 4.5 kilometers to go. Then, a small descent and a slight drag to the line.
All in all, a very open finale. It could well finish in a reduced bunch sprint, however the small climbs offer plenty opportunities for puncheurs, rouleurs and classics specialists to launch attacks. In a race that is often decided by just a few seconds, it can be a key day and specially because it will be the first real climbing test and riders will be unaware of who has the best legs.
The Weather
Map Tour Down Under 2024 stage 2
The temperatures will be much lower, this will be a delight to the riders who won't be baking in the sun for a few hours. Decently strong winds from the south means we will have a headwind in the toughest climb of the circuit, a crosswind from the base of the final hilltop almost to the finale, and a tailwind sprint. The sprinters are ultimately benefited from the weather.
The Favourites
Last year the race featured a similar day, however the weather here won't favour attackers. In anticipation to rivals, many may try to use this day to get an early gap in the race which may later become decisive. Specially the teams with several climbers and puncheurs can try to make something out of it, as there won't be many teams with clear interest to chase and the rolling profile makes it quite possible for late attacks to work.
Team Jayco AlUla - The Aussie team did not net the win today with Caleb Ewan, with these climbs it's definitely not certain that he will survive. The climbs and headwind are also likely seeing Simon Yates take a step to the sidelines, I expect action from both Luke Plapp and Chris Harper however. It's the kind of finale where a late attack can succeed and both have good engines, they can anticipate the main climbers and get a step ahead of these main stage-racers.
UAE Team Emirates - UAE definitely have weapons for this stage. Alessandro Covi and Diego Ulissi pack a nice sprint and could take a victory in that way, however as strong puncheurs they may also perform on the climbs. The team has the cards to play, Finn Fisher-Black is aiming for the GC with certainty after netting bonus seconds today, whilst António Morgado finds very suiting terrain and Isaac Del Toro seems to be in good form. It is the ideal lineup to launch attacks in the finale, they only have something to win by doing so.
The weather favours a sprint. A bunch sprint will not take place as attacks or a strong pace are certain, and the stage start is hard. However a few fast men can absolutely survive unless the pace is wild. Definitely take into consideration the likes of Corbin Strong, Casper Pedersen and Danny van Poppel. The last two pack a very strong punch. Others such as Biniam Girmay and Matthias Vacek can possibly survive and then fight for the win, whilst we've got strong puncheurs with a big sprint such as Julian Alaphilippe, Jhonatan Narváez and Michele Gazzoli.
However assuming a sprint will decide the day does not mean it'll happen with certainty. Teams may cancel each other's attacks, but that may not take place. Strong rouleurs such as Quinn Simmons and Derek Gee can absolutely get a gap solo and ride to the win. This also includes other riders who have been mentioned beforehand. Other strong puncheurs may find themselves in the right move such as Georg Zimmermann, Christian Scaroni and Gonzalo Serrano.
However the race may break apart in the main climb, and despite the wind a group of strong climbers may find themselves away from the rest, and then collaborate to the finish. Here other riders could play a role in the finale such as Jack Haig, Milan Vader, Stephen Williams, Laurens de Plus and Damien Howson.
Prediction Tour Down Under 2024 stage 2:
*** Danny van Poppel, Jhonatan Narváez
** Luke Plapp, Corbin Strong, Julian Alaphilippe
* Casper Pedersen, Biniam Girmay, Quinn Simmons, Georg Zimmermann, Derek Gee, Caleb Ewan
** Luke Plapp, Corbin Strong, Julian Alaphilippe
* Casper Pedersen, Biniam Girmay, Quinn Simmons, Georg Zimmermann, Derek Gee, Caleb Ewan
Pick: Danny van Poppel
Preview written by Rúben Silva.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- McNulty winning was beneficial in ensuring the rainbow jersey would not remain winless
Front24209-11-2026 - Eccelente! That's 7 riders in total in Red Bull who come from the devo team, 8 if you include Lipo
Rafionain-Glas09-11-2026 - again, nothing is going to be resolved. it is a discussion board. I simply said I didn't see how MS impeded LBs sprint. the UCI doesn't care about my thoughts, and I am really not that emotionally invested in it.mij09-11-2026
- provoke change, lol. this is a discussion board. nothing is going to change by what I say here. just commenting that it didn't look like MS impeded Brand. beyond that not trying to go too deep.mij09-11-2026
- as excellent as maga rednecks chloe dygert (and quinn simmons)?Ketterechts09-11-2026
- so what i understand is: i left a comment calling out the endless author CVs for being an unnecessary flex of expertise, and you responded by lecturing me (and others) on discrimination and value systems. hats off to you. you definitely lost me!Ketterechts09-11-2026
- I just love the flood of Americans into the top ranks of world cycling. In addition to being studs on the bike, they all seem to be excellent emissaries for our country.Occam09-11-2026
- ANATOMY OF A G.O.A.T. EDDY MERCKX about TADEJ POGAČAR: Merckx: “He has revived a style of cycling that we had almost forgotten. He is now better than me.” Key statements by Merckx about Pogačar in 2026: - Acknowledging his superiority: This time, Merckx openly admitted, without any subsequent backtracking or reservations, that Pogačar had surpassed him and was now above him. This contrasts with 2024, when he quickly softened his remarks about Pogačar being faster. - The possibility of a historic triple (Giro, Tour and Vuelta): During the July Tour de France (where Pogi claimed his fifth title), Merckx stated that Pogi was the only cyclist in history capable of winning all three Grand Tours (the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a España) in a single season, provided the conditions were right and he had sufficient team support. - Lack of serious competition: Merckx emphasised that Pogačar has no real rivals in the mountains since 2024, thanks to his extraordinary climbing ability and the fact that he continues to improve despite still being under 28 (he turned 28 in autumn 2026). - Praise for his racing style: Merckx highlighted how Pogačar is bringing back the aggressive, uncompromising spirit of cycling's golden era, when races were not merely about calculated stages and tactical conservatism, but about attacking from long distances. PS: This is not "boring" ... this is called making real history, not only statistical history. Capish?PogiSloFans09-11-2026
- It’s off-season mate, I’m bored and fed up with the mediocrity of people unwilling to provoke change when they admit things aren’t right. What have you done lately to make anyone realise you won’t put up with things? What conversation, are you dictating to me which part of the incident I have to be interested in or telling me other parts are taboo? That’s what I guess the UCI would really like, let them moan, let it blow over for them pass on to the next thing, let’s keep the status quo, let’s try our best not reviewing or revealing anything about decision-making just like every time before, they’re used to it by now so we can take the risk they’ll never give us grief.Jumpyjohn09-11-2026
- As far as CUTD headlines go this is far from the worst. It helps if you look at it twice and realise it’s a list of descriptions from distinct events. You can’t deny the reality of being a rival if you consider the picture immediately below, frontrunner is unfortunate but I’m guessing this time it’s more a linguistic failure than a clickbaiting opportunity. Just a reminder that this is not an anglo website, for those who find it too tedious to interpret text to get the gist of things which are rarely of great importance (as opposed to eg purposely biaised DOJ extradition translations in order to achieve hidden agendas), there are plenty of anglo cycling websites google can suggest.Jumpyjohn09-11-2026
Loading
Our festival programming is here! 🎉 Get amongst Adelaide’s buzzing atmosphere, take in the City of Adelaide Tour Village, experience the race from the regions or give the kids a day they won’t forget 🙌 Explore our full program ⬇️ #TourDownUnder tourdownunder.com.au/festival?utm_c…
Write a comment