On a recent episode of the CyclingUpToDate Podcast, there were questions on whether Tadej Pogacar would start his 2027 season at the Tour Down Under. Ever since, new information has surged, this time from its race director who revealed Pogacar's agent was on the ground in Australia this January.
"Of course, I'm doing everything we can to get the likes of Tadej here. It's hard to go past how big this guy is, and we all want to see him race here again," race director Stuart O'Grady said on the Stanley St. Social podcast.
With the Slovenian ending his season mid-Vuelta due to his crash, the opportunity has opened up to begin training for the 2027 season earlier - one month earlier, according to himself. This could see Pogacar also begin his racing season a month earlier, potentially in January - with plenty new events created.
The Tour Down Under was rated as the most likely, and the most wished destination for Pogacar by CyclingUpToDate's audience. This is not an unlikely scenario either, as O'Grady reveals that Pogacar's agent was at the Tour Down Under this year to understand the race's logistics.
"Alex Carera was here for the last stage in January, just to have a look around and get his own view of the race. For him to see the set-up we have with the village and the hotel, it's like, man, this is unbelievable".
Tadej Pogacar's agent Alex Carera was at the Tour Down Under this year
Is Tour Down Under the most likely start for Pogacar in 2027?
With feedback from his agent, more training time and a World Tour race that is not yet in his palmarès, the Tour Down Under could end up being the former World Champion's first race in 2027.
"You kind of have to see it for yourself. It's hard to explain when you're in a travelling circus all year round, going hotel to hotel," O'Grady said of Carera's experience.
"Here you're in the same hotel, there's a village out the front, there's a real buzz and a bit of fun on that side, and there's your team tents on this side, and just the connection you have with the whole community."
Old Willunga Hill record could be a goal for Pogacar
"Obviously, Tadej's crash, we're just hoping he recovers and he can get back to the level which we'll hope and pray that he can. We just want them to get better, and then if they decide that they want to start racing earlier, then of course we're going to welcome that and do what we can."
The Tour Down Under opens up the World Tour calendar every year, and it was Pogacar's teammate Jay Vine who took the overall win this year.
But not only is an overall win a tempting award for Pogacar's potential journey to Australia, but also a potential record on one of cycling's most iconic climbs: The Old Willunga Hill.
"Richie Porte won't want him here, because that time might go," O'Grady warned.
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.
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