Tour Down Under 2024

The first men's WorldTour race of the year runs from January 16-21 in Adelaide, Australia

Share

Jump to:

Updated: January 22, 2024.

Tour Down Under stage 6: Stephen Williams wins the stage and takes overall victory on Mount Lofty

Stevie Williams made it two WorldTour wins for Israel-Premier Tech on Sunday, with the stage victory and overall success

In classic Santos Tour Down Under fashion, the race was once again decided by seconds as Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech) held onto the slimmest of GC leads with a stage win on the final day of the race. The win, which was the Welshman's first WorldTour victory, came after Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) attacked the peloton on the final climb, making one last dig for the overall win. Williams was able to whether the stinging attack from the Mexican and then timed his sprint to perfection to win the day and leave no doubt as to the overall result.

Oscar Onley (dsm-firmenich PostNL) struggled to match his stage-winning performance from Willunga Hill and was dropped on the slopes up to the finish. While he managed to limit his losses, it wasn’t enough to hold off Jhonatan Narváez (Ineos Grenadiers) and Del Toro who jumped ahead of the British rider and finished second and third overall, respectively.

Stage 6 race report and results

Read more:

Tour Down Under stage 5: Oscar Onley takes first professional win atop Willunga Hill

After much anticipation, the men's peloton hit the slopes of Willunga Hill on Saturday, with Jayco Alula's Chris Harper setting a mean pace for most of the climb and teeing up an expected attack from teammate Simon Yates. The Brit, however, was outdone on the day by two of his compatriots, Oscar Onley (dsm-firmenich PostNL) and Stevie Williams (Israel-Premier Tech).

Onley rounded Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step) in the closing metres to sprint to victory, whilst Williams took control of the overall standings through countback. Onley's Strava time on the Old Willunga Hill segment fell just one second short of Richie Porte's record.

Stage 5 race report and results.

Tour Down Under stage 4: Unstoppable Sam Welsford bags third stage win

Sam Welsford's scintillating form in Adelaide continued as the sprinter claimed his third victory in four stages. The Bora-Hansgrohe rider's leadout train was less efficient than previous stages but that didn't faze the 28-year-old as he surfed the wheels before launching a stinging kick which no one could match. Biniam Girmay (Intermarché–Wanty) was forced to settle for second while Lars Boven (Alpecin-Deceuninck) took third.

It was a disappointing day for many of the fast men who now face the prospect of heading home empty handed, with the final two stages serving up summit finishes as the GC battle comes to the fore.

Stage 4 race report and results.

Tour Down Under stage 3: Sam Welsford continues blistering form to double up

With the likes of Bora-Hansgrohe and Ineos Grenadiers keeping the day under a vice-like grip, Sam Welsford was able to power to a second stage victory of the race at the Santos Tour Down Under. After having been tipped for success in our preview, Welsford has shot into the blue jersey in the race standings.

The Australian enjoyed another tremendous lead-out by new teammate Danny van Poppel, and once Welsford had a clear view of the finish line, there was no stopping him. Ineos Grenadiers' Elia Viviani finished in second place after a fine pull from Josh Tarling, whilst Dan McLay (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) rounded out the podium.

Stage 3 race report and results.

Tour Down Under stage 2: Isaac del Toro shocks the sprinters to pick up first pro win

Following in the wheel tracks of Bora-Hansgrohe's Sam Welsford, UAE Team Emirates' Isaac del Toro secured his first victory in his new team colours at the Santos Tour Down Under. The Mexican starlet won stage 2 in sensational fashion, by stealing a march on the peloton and holding off the forlorn sprinters.

The majority of the stage was a tepid affair, save for a two-up attack between Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla) and Jhonatan Narváez (Ineos Grenadiers) that never fully managed to materialise. That was, until, Del Toro threw a cat amongst the pigeons inside the final kilometre.

Sensing a momentary lull in the pace, Del Toro shot out from the pack like a gun and passed riders left, right and centre. By the time the peloton had realised what was happening, the 20-year-old was too far gone and had the time to post up before the line and celebrate his first professional victory.

Behind Del Toro, it was left to Israel-Premier Tech to begrudgingly sweep up second and third with Corbin Strong and Stephen Williams, respectively.

Stage 2 race report and results.

Tour Down Under stage 1: Sam Welsford wins first race in Bora-Hansgrohe colours in Tanunda

Sam Welsford (Bora-Hansgrohe) scored his first victory for his new team on stage 1 of the Tour Down Under. The Australian was the fastest in Tanunda and took both the stage win and the overall race lead.

Phil Bauhaus and Biniam Girmay completed the top three, while pre-race favourite Caleb Ewan finished fourth after a recent bout of illness.

Stage 1 race report and results.

Santos Tour Down Under latest news

Santos Tour Down Under race tech

Santos Tour Down Under general race information

For almost 25 years, Australia’s flagship stage race - the Tour Down Under - has been regarded as one of the biggest early-season events on cycling’s international calendar.

Taking place in the southern hemisphere’s summer, the Tour Down Under also serves as a perfect getaway for pros who want to make their debuts in sunny Australia, rather than in cold and damp Europe.

In 2024 the race returns for the 23rd time and runs between January 16-21. The race starts with the Tour Down Under Classic on January 13 - a downtown criterium in the centre of Adelaide. This race does not count towards the overall classification of the six-day Tour Down Under, which begins on January 16.

The race takes place in and around Adelaide, the capital of South Australia and the fifth-most populous city in the country. Ever since its first edition in 1999, it has been held over six days, with each stage setting off from a similar location before heading out and touring the varied terrain around the city. Several cruise along the coast, while others head deep into the rugged Adelaide Hills.

In 2008, the Tour Down Under was granted ProTour status by the UCI and in the following year, 2009, it became the first race to join the UCI’s WorldTour, then known as the UCI World Ranking.

Each edition of the Tour Down Under has followed a similar route, with a series of flat and hilly stages for the sprinters and puncheurs in the first few days before a summit finish atop the infamous Willunga Hill fell on either the final or penultimate day of racing. This short yet explosive climb is synonymous with the race and featured every year between 2002 and 2020, regularly serving as the battleground upon which the fight for GC was fought.

In 2024 Willunga Hill returns after a one-year absence with riders set to climb the ascent twice on the penultimate stage. The final stage will finish on Mount Lofty.

Santos Tour Down Under - Key Facts

When is the 2024 Tour Down Under?

The 2024 edition of the Tour Down Under takes place between January 16-21. The Tour Down Under Classic - a one-day race - takes place on January 13, with the main stage race starting on January 16 and concluding on January 21.

Where does the 2024 Tour Down Under take place?

The entire race takes place in and around Adelaide.

Who won the 2023 Tour Down Under?

The 2023 edition was won by Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates).

How old is the Tour Down Under?

The first edition of the race took place in 1999. There was a two-year hiatus between 2021 and 2022 due to COVID-19.

Who won the first Tour Down Under?

Stuart O'Grady. He's now the race director.

Who has the most wins at the Tour Down Under?

Simon Gerrans won the race four times during his career. André Greipel holds the record for the most stages won, with the German taking 18 stages. Caleb Ewan is the closest rider still competing, with nine stage wins. He will return to the race in 2024.

Santos Tour Down Under 2024 race map

Which teams are racing the Tour Down Under in 2024?

The 2024 Tour Down Under will comprise 21 teams, 18 of which are the WorldTour teams, and two of which are set to be the automatically invited top two second-division ProTeams. A wildcard invite will be awarded to a third team.