By kazimladimeji 
The Santos Tour Down Under 2026 (20–25 January 2026) marks the opening of the UCI WorldTour season, and this year’s race promises excitement with sprint battles, tough climbs in the Adelaide Hills and plenty of action as riders vie for the coveted ochre jersey. Defending champion Jhonatan Narváez returns with UAE Team Emirates-XRG, joined by Australian GC hopeful Jay Vine, sprint ace Sam Welsford, rising star Matthew Brennan and rivals from the WorldTour peloton eager to kick off their seasons in style.
Below is a stage-by-stage summary with previews, results where available and a placeholder for a video report for each day of racing and also find out about Santos Tour Down Under 2026: Bikes, Gear Rider Tech
Stage 0 — 20 January — Prologue: Adelaide / 3.6km (Time Trial)
Preview:
The 2026 edition began with a rare prologue time trial in Adelaide, returning for the second consecutive year. Sprinters and GC hopefuls alike opened their season with an all-out effort on a fast, short course around Victoria Park.
Result:
Stage 1 — 21 January — Tanunda to Tanunda / 120.6km
Preview:
The first road stage took the peloton through iconic Barossa wine country with three loops including the challenging Menglers Hill, before a likely sprint finish in Tanunda.
Result:
⭐ Winner: Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon CMA CGM) asserted himself early with a powerful sprint, taking the ochre leader’s jersey in his first WorldTour appearance. Matthew Brennan (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) edged into second, with Sam Welsford (Ineos Grenadiers) completing the podium — testament to a fast, tactical finale from a large group.
Stage 2 — 22 January — Norwood to Uraidla / 148.1km
Preview:
Stage 2 featured a rolling route with two ascents of the iconic Corkscrew Road, a decisive climb that was expected to test GC contenders and separate the favourites from the field.
Result:
🔥 Winner & Ochre Leader: Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) powered to victory on the punishing climb, with teammate Jhonatan Narváez completing a dominant 1-2 for UAE. Mauro Schmid (Team Jayco AlUla) finished third on GC. Vine now tops the overall standings as the early favourite.
Stage 3 — 23 January — Henley Beach to Nairne / 140.8km
Preview:
A balanced day of racing that included the climbs of Wickham Hill and Mount Barker before a return to flatter roads — perfect terrain for sprinters and punchers alike.
Result:
🏁 Stage Winner: Sam Welsford (INEOS Grenadiers) surged late to claim his seventh Tour Down Under stage victory in a chaotic sprint finish, while Jay Vine retained the overall lead in the ochre jersey. Tobias Lund Andresen and Lewis Bower rounded out the podium.
Stage 4 — 24 January — Brighton to Willunga Hill / 176km
Preview:
The queen stage features multiple ascents of Willunga Hill, a brutal climb that often decides GC battles in the Tour Down Under. Expect fireworks as contenders shake up the general classification and riders punch for stage glory.
Result:
Results pending.
Video report: (Embed here)
Stage 5 — 25 January — Stirling to Stirling / 169.8km
Preview:
The final day is long and tactical, with rolling terrain around Stirling inviting last-minute attacks and sprint ambitions. GC teams will fight hard to defend or overturn slim leader margins ahead of the race conclusion.
Result:
Results pending.
Video report: (Embed here)
General Classification & Early Storylines
Early in the race, Jay Vine’s Stage 2 assault and GC lead underline UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s strength as a team, setting up a compelling duel with Australian contenders and climbing specialists on Willunga Hill. Dane Tobias Lund Andresen’s Stage 1 sprint win showed early fireworks from emerging talents, while Sam Welsford’s Stage 3 victory delighted fans with a textbook sprint finish on home soil.
What to Watch Next
-
Willunga Hill (Stage 4): Often decisive for the ochre jersey — GC contenders will need to be at their best.
-
Final GC Shake-up (Stage 5): With long distance and rolling roads, Stage 5 may offer opportunists a chance to upset the standings.
Fans interested in live coverage can follow results and streams on platforms like CyclingFans and official Tour Down Under channels.