Tour Down Under – Who will start the World Tour with a Win?

After a 2-month break, apart from the UCI Americas tour events, the world’s best cyclists should be fit and ready to get back in the saddle. In what has become an annual tradition, the UCI World Tour kicks off with the tour down under in Australia on the 20th of January. This now includes a women’s race as well. However, in the following text, we are going to concentrate solely on the Men’s road race. We will look at the tour itself, consider the route and some of the main names to watch out for at the event this year. In conclusion, we will give you a thought-out 2026 Tour Down Under prediction for those betting on the event.

This will be the 26th edition of the tour, which sees the men compete for the winners’ Ochre Jersey. Established in 1999 as a 2.2 category event for Australian riders to prepare themselves for the season, it quickly grew in popularity both in Australia and with all riders looking to warm up for the new season. It gained pro status in 2008 and joined the UCI World Tour in 2009. It has now become a regular fixture at the very start of the calendar year.

Australians have dominated the race down the years from recent winners like Richie Porte and Jay Vine to previous Australian legend multiple winners like Simon Gerrans (4) and big Stuart O’Grady (2). Andre Griepel also loved this tour and won it twice.

Stages Preview

With only 6 stages, the organisers have given every type of cyclist a chance for a day in the sun. However, the overall theme is one that will suit climbers better than sprinters this year, with the tour being billed as the toughest ever. The action starts with a short 3.6 km prologue in Adelaide. These short time trials are always exciting to watch and give time trialists a day in the Ochre Jersey. The main GC (General Classification) contenders should all perform well at this event and it gives you a chance to assess their fitness and form. Following that is a sprinter’s stage before heading uphill in stages 3, 4 and 5. Stage 3 will be a full day of climbing, stage 4 is more up and down in the foothills in a stage that will favour breakaway riders. Stage 5 sees the riders tackle the legendary Willunga Hill (not a hill!) three times and this will likely see who is the final GC winner. The last day will see the riders race through the Stirling Hills in an up-and-down day of racing.

Who are the 2026 Tour Down Under riders to watch out for?

Let’s look at some of the main GC contenders for the upcoming tour.

Where to watch 2026 Tour Down Under

Finding a 2026 Tour Down Under live stream is not too difficult as it is being covered by plenty of national broadcasters, listed below regionally. If you want highlights, you can get these on Youtube and Cyclingfans. The official website will have ongoing text updates as does the procycling website.

• United Kingdom: Discovery+, TNT Sports (Eurosport).
• Australia: 7plus, 7two, 7mate (free-to-air), Stan Sport (for some coverage).
• United States & Canada: FloBikes, Peacock.
• New Zealand: Sky.
• Africa: SuperSport.
• Asia/Oceania: J Sports (Japan), Zhibo (China)
• Other: L’Équipe (France), TV2 (Denmark), RTVE (Spain),Latin America: ESPN

Prediction for the 2026 Tour Down Under

Team Jayco–AlUla may be a relatively new name in world cycling, but they have built a strong reputation and roster in recent years. Being Aussie funded, they are coming here with the sole intention of giving the home fans something to cheer about with a Ben O’Connor win. He has all the attributes and will be absolutely focused on adding his name to the list of previous famous Aussie winners. He can climb and time-trial and has everything he needs to win this one.

I’m not sure they will win the team GC, however, so it’s possible that it will be taken by the UAE Emirates, who have a very strong group of riders with them.