A Message from the Race Director: 2027 Stage Launch, Tour de France Predictions and What's Ahead

Outside of January, this would have to be my favourite time of the year.

I know I’m partial to the Classics in April, but there is so much to be excited about as a cycling fan in July – even if it means sacrificing some sleep!

The Tour de France is under way and we have just released our stages for what will be an historic edition of the 2027 Santos Tour Down Under in January.

In case you missed it last week, next year’s TDU will be the longest men’s (874km) and women’s (397.3km) races we’ve ever had.

The action starts in Henley Beach for THINK! Road Safety Race Day 1 and I couldn’t think of a better location to get things under way after the massive crowds that turned out for a stage start this year.

Those who ride regularly around Adelaide will know Military Road, so we’re excited to incorporate that into the race as well as the Birkenhead Bridge into Port Adelaide before heading to the finish in Gumeracha. But not before three ascensions of Checker Hill which will really spice things up from day one!

We then head to the Barossa for Race Day 2 with a circuit race that will start and finish in Angaston, before Corkscrew Day on efex Race Day 3 from Lobethal to Campbelltown that will go a long way towards determining the Santos Ochre Leader’s Jersey.

Ziptrak Race Day 4 will then make history as the first ever combined men’s and women’s stage at WorldTour level. Other races around the world have held both men’s and women’s racing on the same day before, but never over the exact same distance and route, which we are genuinely excited about.

The first double header will start and finish in iconic seaside locations Glenelg and Victor Harbor which are both always hugely popular viewing locations for spectators both on and off their bikes.

Race Day 5 on the Saturday is Willunga day and after missing out this year, I can’t wait to see all the colour of the crowd back on the hill to see both peloton’s ascend multiple times.

The final stage on Race Day 6 begins in Norwood for the first time and will see the riders climb Norton Summit on their way to the finish in picture-perfect Stirling which was a very popular location for the final stage of this year’s race. Close to the city, loads of shade and plenty of options for food and coffee, it promises to be another fantastic way to finish the race.

While we still have to wait six months for the TDU to arrive, the Tour de France is in full swing right now after a spectacular opening three days in Spain.

How good was it to see Isaac del Toro win in Barcelona on Stage 2! He was just 20 years old when he came to Adelaide to race the Santos Tour Down Under in 2024 and won his very first WorldTour stage from Norwood to Lobethal with UAE Emirates.

He had a super race that year with eighth on Willunga Hill and third to Mount Lofty to finish third overall. I think we all knew we were witnessing the emergence of a very special talent and he’s now won a stage of the Tour de France to go with one in the Giro d’Italia as well.

As for my pre-race predictions, let’s see how we go:

Yellow jersey: Pretty hard to go past Tadej Pogacar going for his fifth title and equalling the goat Eddy Merckx.

His biggest threat: All the big hitters are there but I’d say Remco Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard in a battle for the podium.

Highest placed Aussie: We've got some great GC riders in the race, but with Jai Hindley likely on super domestique duties, I'd say Michael Storer. He's recorded top-10 finishes in Grand Tours before, so I'll be backing him, with Ben O'Connor not too far behind. Ben has previously finished on the podium at the Vuelta a España and placed fourth at the Tour de France.

Most chaotic stage: Stage 20 has 5500m of climbing, with four epic climbs including the Col du Galibier which is my number one hated climb, and finishing off on the back of Alp d’Huez.

I’m heading over to the Tour next week so looking forward to touching base with the team managers and riders for their feedback on the course we are presenting to once again open the UCI WorldTour season in South Australia in January.
 
Stuey