HOW TO FOLLOW THE SANTOS WOMEN'S TOUR DOWN UNDER 2026

You can follow the three stages of the Santos Women's Tour Down Under 2026 on various TV channels or platforms, including Eurosport - MAX.

We also recommend following the official account of X (@tourdownunder) and the hashtag #TourDownUnder.

ANALYSIS OF THE SANTOS WOMEN'S TOUR DOWN UNDER COURSE

STAGE 1 - Saturday, January 17 - Willunga - Willunga: 137.4 km

• Time: 11:10 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (local time - 9 hours 30 minutes behind CET).
• Broadcast: from 1:30 a.m. on Eurosport - MAX (Madrid UTC+1)

Willunga is synonymous with Santos Women's Tour Down Under. It is usually also the race's judge. For the 2026 edition of the Santos Women's Tour Down Under, the organization has designed the longest stage in the history of the race in Willunga. A 137.4 km route starting and ending in Willunga with almost 1,400 meters of accumulated positive elevation.

With such a description, one would think that this stage would determine the overall winner, with climbers or punchers taking the lead. However, the climb in Willunga is not the usual one. It is the known Lower Willunga Hill, 500 meters long with an average gradient of 4.2%. We should not rule out fast and strong sprinters in this uphill finish.

STAGE 2 - Sunday, January 18 - Magill - Paracombe: 130.7 km

• Time: 11:10 a.m. - 2:50 p.m. (local time - 9 hours 30 minutes behind CET).
• Broadcast: from 1:30 a.m. on Eurosport - MAX (Madrid UTC+1)

The second stage of the Santos Women's Tour Down Under offers a more open scenario. Overall, it is possibly the toughest stage, leaving room for tactical brilliance rather than just raw power. In the 130 km route, riders will accumulate 2,400 meters of positive elevation.

There is no major climb, but the start will feature the ascent of Ashton (10 km at 4% average gradient and ramps of 12.6%). Instead, it is rugged terrain throughout the day. The stage ends with a 12.3 km circuit in Paracombe that riders will complete three times, featuring an irregular final climb of 2.9 km at 2.2% and ramps nearing 10%. A stage for stage hunters, leaders, punchers, and the smartest riders.

STAGE 3 - Monday, January 19 - Norwood - Campbelltown: 126.5 km

• Time: 11:10 a.m. - 3:05 p.m. (local time - 9 hours 30 minutes behind CET).
• Broadcast: from 1:30 a.m. on Eurosport - MAX (Madrid UTC+1)

The final stage of the Santos Women's Tour Down Under has enough difficulties to be decisive on its own. While the second day may leave us with a range of potential winners, the third stage features similar positive elevation in its 120 km length. The main difference is the more significant mountainous challenges and a final loop with enough toughness to be decisive.

The final 18.1 km circuit around Campbelltown includes a crucial challenge: the ascent to Corkscrew Road, 2.4 km at 9.7% average gradient and ramps of 16%, acting as the judge of the Santos Women's Tour Down Under 2026. The last downhill curve 500 meters from the finish could be crucial in the final sprint.

We are at the beginning of the season, but in such a finale, riders with a better 10-minute threshold and a better watt/kg ratio can make a difference. Amanda Spratt, in her final dance at home, will try to surpass her sensational performance from 2023.

WEATHER

Warm temperatures are expected, significantly higher than those in Europe but not extreme. Temperatures between 26 and 32 degrees are forecasted during the three days of the Santos Women's Tour Down Under. Rain during any stage is highly unlikely; however, the presence of a storm is possible on Monday. The wind is not expected to play a significant role.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE SANTOS WOMEN'S TOUR DOWN UNDER 2026

FAVORITES FOR THE GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF THE SANTOS WOMEN'S TOUR DOWN UNDER 2026

Preamble

'Missing the target in the Santos Women's Tour Down Under 2026 resets the clock in the women's peloton for 2026; it also opens the curtain on the WWT circuit of 2026. The traditional start of the calendar brings us, alongside early mornings or late nights, the first impressions, sensations, and opportunities to see new jerseys and riders in their new teams.

Similarly, it is an opportunity for cyclists to start their elite careers or as professionals, or to knock on the door of some teams. Down Under also marks the redemption for many cyclists. 2025 was a year of successes and joys, but also of failures, adversities, injuries, and sorrows. The clock is reset for them as well.

You're only as good as your last race

It is one of the most common biases of human beings. Three bad days and I don't bet on you anymore. A forgettable season and I forget about you. Not all those who are missing will be named. But those who are present are all there is. At the Santos Women's Tour Down Under, great cyclists whose names some may have forgotten reset their clocks. Although we will talk about some of them later, it is fair to mention the Australian Neve Bradbury (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto), the Italian Erica Magnaldi (UAE Team ADQ), the German Ricarda Bauernfeind, and the Italian Gaia Realini (Lidl-Trek).

Main Contenders

Australian Neve Bradbury (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto) did not have her dream 2025. She started well in Australia, although perhaps the expectations were higher. But then, she failed to perform at the level of 2024 when she won the queen stage of the Giro d'Italia Women, finishing third overall. After leaving good impressions at the Australian national championships, Bradbury is our favorite in Down Under.

Earlier we mentioned that Italian Gaia Realini (Lidl-Trek) is another cyclist who has a pending revalidation in 2026. Although unlike Bradbury, we have not seen her compete yet, the double ascent of the final stage suits Realini's climbing profile. Sufficient reason to trust in the return of one of the few capable of defeating van Vleuten in her prime.

Thinking of her excellent climbing skills on double-digit grades or steep ramps, the Frenchwoman Marion Bunel (Visma | Lease a Bike) stands out as a top favorite. Of the three top favorites, she is the only one who does not arrive with the intention of turning around a less productive 2025 but there are still doubts about her performance. Descents are not her greatest strength yet, and she has not shone in the early season races.

Favorites for Overall Victory

Australian Neve Bradbury (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto), Italian Gaia Realini (Lidl-Trek), and Frenchwoman Marion Bunel (Visma | Lease a Bike) are our top favorites for the final victory due to their climbing prowess on steep gradients.

Regarding teams with multiple contenders, the UAE Team ADQ stands out. With Polish Dominika Włodarczyk, Italian Erica Magnaldi, and Spanish Mavi García, they have three strong contenders to play a tactical advantage. Other teams with multiple contenders for victory include EF Education-Oatly with Swiss Noemi Rüegg and world champion Magdeleine Vallieres, plus Lidl-Trek and Visma | Lease a Bike with German Ricarda Bauernfeind, Australian Amanda Spratt, and Canadian Sarah Van Dam, respectively. New Zealander Ella Wyllie (Liv AlUla Jayco) and Dutchwoman Nina Buijsman (Human Powered Health) are also riders to keep an eye on for the overall classification.

Possible Outsiders to Surprise

There is always room for surprises, especially considering the tight competition expected. Swiss Petra Stiasny (Human Powered Health) is our outsider to watch for surprises. Stiasny is a proven climber on tough gradients. Although she excels more in high mountain finishes, if she manages to survive the second stage, she is a rider to keep in mind for Campbelltown.

Among punchers, escape artists, and rising stars, several cyclists have the potential to surprise. Riders like British Lauren Dickson (FDJ United - Suez), Spaniard Mireia Benito (AG Insurance - Soudal Team), Belgian Lotte Claes (Fenix-Premier Tech), Frenchwoman Margaux Vigié (Visma | Lease a Bike), Belgian Julie van De Velde (AG Insurance - Soudal Team), Canadian Olivia Baril (Movistar), Frenchwoman Léa Curinier (FDJ United - Suez), Spaniard Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ), Belgian Xaydée van Sinaey (AG Insurance - Soudal Team), and newly crowned Australian national champion Mackenzie Coupland (Liv AlUla Jayco) are all potential contenders to create surprises.

Article written by Diego Martín from Le Puncheur ([@MartinTheCaleb]https://x.com/MartinTheCaleb)