Aussie Heroes Return

The Santos Tour Down Under has named 2024 Olympic gold medallist Sam Welsford, alongside an all-star Aussie lineup, as Australia’s greatest cycling race prepares to celebrate its milestone 25th edition. 

Racing for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, the Santos Tour Down Under fan favourite claimed three stage wins at this year’s event and, after his Olympic victory in the team pursuit in Paris, the WA born sprinter is looking forward to continued success in 2025. 

“I’m really looking forward to coming back to my home race to start off the season,” Welsford said. 

“It’s an event with a lot of good memories for us, particularly from this year, where we took three stages, so it will be great to be back at the Santos Tour Down Under again in 2025.” 

Welsford will be joined on the start line by this year’s National Road Race Champion Luke Plapp. The Team Jayco-AlUla rider’s 2024 Santos Tour Down Under ended in disaster, when Plapp was left bloodied and bruised after a spectacular crash on Stage Three.

“Last year was a dream start to the season for me winning the national championships and then being able to wear the green and gold jersey at the Santos Tour Down Under,” said Plapp.

“I’ll be hoping to defend my national road race title in Perth the week before, so that could be the perfect lead into the Santos Tour Down Under.

“Last Santos Tour Down Under didn’t quite go to plan, after I had to abandon due to a nasty crash. We’ve got a great team and I’m ready for a much better race this time around.”

Fellow countryman Simon Clarke has also been named as a confirmed starter, with the Israel-Premier Tech allrounder racing in his fourteenth Santos Tour Down Under. Also competing is Olympic medallist Alex Edmondson for Team dsm-firmenich PostNL – his first Santos Tour Down Under with sister Annette as Assistant Race Director. 

Three-time Olympic veteran Amanda Spratt will be looking to add to her record three Santos Tour Down Under titles, while Liv AlUla Jayco has named current National Road Race Champion Ruby Roseman-Gannon as a race starter. 

Santos Tour Down Under Race Director Stuart O’Grady said there was something very special about racing on home soil. 

“For many Australian riders, the Santos Tour Down Under is the only opportunity they have to race in front of friends and family,” he said. 

"Australia has produced a lot of exciting cycling talent on the world stage right now. With an impressive crop of riders making their mark in the UCI WorldTour peloton, I'm confident we’ll see several Aussies pushing for podiums over the course of the Santos Tour Down Under.”

This rider announcement is brought to you by Hays.