The beachside suburb of Henley Square will host a stage start for the first time, as part of a raft of changes announced for next year's Santos Tour Down Under.
The eyes of the cycling world will once again focus on South Australia next January, with the 10-day festival kicking off with a teams presentation in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga on Friday 16 January.
This will be followed by the women’s race from January 17-19 and a revamped men’s race from January 20-25.
For the first time in TDU history, all 15 women’s WorldTeams are set to be on the start line in Adelaide for the women’s race.
The CBD will roar to life on 20 January when the men’s race begins with an inner-city prologue. Last held as part of the TDU in 2023, the race against the clock is returning for next year’s event, complete with the time trial-style start ramp and hot seat for the leader.
The 3.6km prologue will begin just outside the City of Adelaide Tour Village in Victoria Square, taking riders east on Wakefield St, south on East Tce and entering Victoria Park via Halifax St where they will do one lap and finish in front of the heritage grandstand.
It means the race for the Santos Ochre Leader’s Jersey will be on in earnest from the opening day before the sprinter and climber-friendly stages showcase the state’s internationally renowned natural beauty through the hills and along the coast.
Henley Beach will host a men’s start stage, and the Adelaide Hills town of Nairne will host a finish – both for the first time – with two ascents of the fan-friendly Corkscrew and three trips up the iconic Willunga Hill scheduled in 2026.
Race director and Olympic gold medallist Stuart O’Grady said next year's race routes "look like the most exciting we've ever had".
"Feedback from men’s teams was they wanted a more attacking race, so we have brought the prologue back which creates an opportunity for riders targeting the ochre jersey to take time from the very first day," O'Grady said.
"And I’m sure the atmosphere from the city to Victoria Park will rival any time trial anywhere in the world.
"We’ve also added some new challenges like two climbs up Corkscrew Road that will be a real GC (general classification) shaker, and the final day has moved from a sprint-friendly stage in the city to a really hard circuit around Stirling where anything could happen.
"The peloton will do eight laps of a 21km circuit with plenty of short, punchy climbs which means the race for the ochre jersey could go down to the very last kilometre."
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