The season kicks off in Australia
After a two years hiatus due to the strict restrictions against Covid 19 that made it difficult to travel to Australia, the Tour Down Under will take place again in 2023. In addition, with the promotion of the women's race to the Women's WorldTour, for the first time both men's and women's races will be part of the first category of world cycling races, so the Tour Down Under will be the opening race of both the WWT and the UWT.
Women's race: the course
The women's race is made up of three stages, with opportunities for all kind of racers. The first stage is flat and ideal for sprinters, the second has an undulating profile that suits puncheurs, while the third seems the most suitable for climbers and will surely be decisive for the general classification, with the ascent to Corkscrew Road (2.4 km at 9.1%) placed 8.5 km from the finish line.
Women's race: the favorites
Alexandra Manly (800), Grace Brown (800), Amanda Spratt (400), Krista Doebel-Hickok (200), Ruby Roseman-Gannon (200) and Brodie Chapman (200) are some of the favorites for the general classification. For the sprints, in addition to Manly, Clara Copponi (800), Georgia Baker (200) and Gladys Verhulst (200) should also be amongst the fastest a priori.
Men's race: the course
The first of the 6 stages of the men's race is a 5.5 km time trial prologue that will set the first race leader. Stages two and three seam ideal for sprinters, while the general classification will be decided in the last three stages, which present hilly profiles that look good for punchy riders. It should be noted that the famous Willunga Hill (3.7 km at 6.8%), which traditionally marked the course of the race, is not included in this year’s route.
Men's race: the favorites
For the sprint battles, Phil Bauhaus (600), Michael Mathews (1000), Caleb Ewan (800), Bryan Coquard (600), Kaden Groves (600), Jordi Meeus (400) or Hugo Hofstetter (400) are perhaps the fastest, while the main candidates for the general classification are men such as Ethan Hayter (1000), Geraint Thomas (1000), Jay Hindley (1000), Ben O'Connor (800), Maximilian Schachmann (600), Pello Bilbao (1000), Rohan Dennis (600), Jay Vine (400) or Simon Yates (1000).