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 stage 3.
Perhaps the trickiest stage of the race. Being the one with the toughest start, up Norton Summit which immediately climbs from the start, it does create the opportunity for a strong group to be formed - however it's unlikely that it will happen, as that's a rare occasion in this race. Most of the day is flat but the finale does throw in a few difficulties.
Another circuit finish, this one into Uraidla which is not the first time in recent years. We have got the climb to Pound Reserve which has a pretty steep ramp at it's start, it's 2.7 kilometers long at 7.7% and the pace at the start should be very high over positioning.
On this climb you can see attacks, dangerous ones from the main contenders for the GC. It ends with 6 kilometers to go but from there to the finish it's even more dangerous. The roads are up and down and to chase down any attack is almost impossible - specially if it's not a solo rider. All-in-all it's a perfect finale for opportunists, any attack can succeed as the finale is downhill and the speeds will be very high, with a small group to chase.
The Weather
Prediction 2025 Tour Down Under stage 3:
***
**
*
Pick:
Don't just watch the action, be part of it! 🚲 From children to adults, there's a ride for every level of cyclist 🙌 Join the ride: https://t.co/S7UhhJpJmR#TourDownUnder @SantosLtd pic.twitter.com/gsq8T7ADmf
— Santos Tour Down Under 🚴🚴♀️ (@tourdownunder) January 8, 2025