PREVIEW | Tour Down Under 2025

From the 21st to the 26th of January we have got the first men's World Tour event of the year. In Australia, the Tour Down Under is every single season the first big race of the year and we preview the race ahead.

The route consists of six stages as usual, short and without many technical roads which provides the opportunity for the riders to have a calm start to the season in warm temperatures. The race features a few tricky hilly days, but also the classical Old Willunga Hill as the day where the GC is the most likely to be decided.

Stage 1: Prospect - Gumeracha, 150 kilometers

The race starts off with a slightly hilly day from Prospect to Gumeracha, but it should be the sprinters to fight for the ochre jersey in the first finale of the race which will be rather technical.

Stage 2: Tanunda - Tanunda, 128.8 kilometers

Stage 2 starts and finishes in Tanunda and it will include several ascents of Menglers Hill. Whilst not brutal, this ascent allows opportunities for attack or to drop some sprinters, but a bunch sprint is still expected in the straight line final kilometers.

Stage 3: Norwood - Uraidla, 147.6 kilometers

The GC could be decided on Old Willunga Hill, but if one of the GC contenders wins time on the previous 2 stages it can be deadly. This one is a good example, as the two-lap circuit into Uraidla features a tricky climb and rolling final kilometers where there can be lots of attacks and tactics.

Stage 4: Glenelg - Victor Harbor, 158 kilometers

Stage 4 is another explosive day that can be dangerous and even decisive for the GC. Nettle Hill close to the finale features some tough gradients and we can certainly see attacks there and then all the way into Victor Harbor. If they don't take the opportunity, the sprinters will happily do so.

Stage 5: McLaren Vale - Willunga Hill, 146 kilometers

The most famous climb in Australia is back once again for the queen stage that follows a traditional format. Starting in McLaren Vale, the peloton will ride around the area until they climb up the Old Willunga Hill twice. The climb is 3.3 kilometers long at over 7%, it's tough enough to make some difference and in this race every second counts.

Stage 6: Adelaide - Adelaide, 90.3 kilometers

The race finishes with the traditional criterium in Adelaide, where the sprinters will fight for one final win in a very fast stage.

Prediction 2025 Tour Down Under overall classification:

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