2026 Tour Down Under route is revealed - Old Willunga Hill headlines another World Tour opener

The 2026 WorldTour season will, as usual, begin in Australia, with the Santos Tour Down Under scheduled from January 20 to 25, kicking off the international racing calendar.

Organizers have unveiled a challenging route that blends opportunities for sprinters with decisive mountain stages, including a historic triple ascent of Willunga Hill in the penultimate stage, which is arguably Australia's most iconic ascent.

This edition may be even more exciting than usual given that current World Champion and Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar is rumoured to start his season there for the second time, aiming to add that race to his ever-growing palmarès.

For only the second time in the event’s history, the race will open with a 3.6-kilometer prologue in Adelaide, testing riders’ early-season form against the clock. A special rule will force riders to tackle the prologue with a road bike instead of a time trial one, which might cause unexpected results.

Stage one, a 120-kilometer loop starting and finishing in Tanunda, includes three climbs of Menglers Hill, though on its less steep side. Despite over 1,500 meters of elevation gain, the profile still favors fast finishers, as the average gradient of Tanunda is just 3.9% and ends 15km from the finish line.

Stage two introduces a far tougher profile. Riders will face Norton Summit (10 km at 4 percent) right from the start before tackling two ascents to the brutal and explosive Corkscrew Road (2.4 km at 9.7 percent), the last one finishing less than 10km away from the finish line. It will be the first opportunity to test the general classification contenders.

Stage three offers a mixed terrain that again could suit sprinters or opportunists. A hilly day with, however, only two categorized climbs that aren't the steepest. Sprinters with good climbing skills have an excellent opportunity in this stage.

Stage four is set to be the queen stage, featuring three ascents of Willunga Hill (3km at 7.5%, with a steepest section of 11 per cent and 220 metres of total elevation gain) for the first time in the race’s history. The 176-kilometer route includes one early climb, a long flat section and two decisive ascents in the finale, where the GC is expected to be settled.

The race concludes with a final circuit around Stirling, a rolling stage that may give a last opportunity for attacks before the overall classification is finalized. The circuit features only one climb with an average gradient that does not seem too punishing on paper (2km at 4%). However, it includes a tough section with an 11% gradient that will be the perfect spot to set attacks.

The Santos Women’s Tour Down Under (January 17-19) will precede the men’s race, featuring equally demanding terrain.

The first day will be the queen stage for the women, as they will have to tackle Willunga Hills three times as well, although an easier section with just 4.2% average gradient. They will finish atop Willunga, so it will be the perfect scenario for a climber or even a puncheur to take the win and the first GC jersey.

The second day will feature a rolling terrain, with many hills to be passed throughout the day. It is not the best terrain for pure climbers, but they will climb Paracombe (around 1km at 2.2%, but a short 9.5% section) four times in the last part of the stage, which might make it hard for pure sprinters to survive.

The last stage will be decisive for the general classification, featuring a double ascent to Corkscrew Road (2.4km at 9.7%) that will end right before a short descent to the finish line in Campbelltown.

The women's peloton will remain in South Australia for a one-day ProSeries race, the Schwalbe Classic, on January 21: a flat 94.2-kilometer circuit around Tanunda with a flat profile that will allow the sprinters to finally shine.