Champions Return to Santos Tour Down Under
Defending Santos Tour Down Under champion Stephen Williams will go in pursuit of back-to-back crowns when he returns for the 2025 edition of the event.
The 28-year-old stormed to victory in a memorable finish at Mount Lofty earlier this year, bursting past his rivals in the last few hundred metres to hold onto the ochre jersey and top spot in the General Classification.
The Welshman is riding high heading into next season, having inked a four-year contract extension with Israel-Premier Tech. This came off the back of victory in the Tour of Britain in September, after conquering the notoriously tough Ardennes in the prestigious La Flèche Wallonne one-day classic.
Williams said he was excited to be coming back to what will be only his second Santos Tour Down Under.
“Winning my first Santos Tour Down Under was an unbelievable moment for me,” Williams said.
“It put into motion a terrific year for me. I’m chasing another strong result to kick start my 2025 season, and hopefully it will lead to another breakthrough year.”
In his way will be 2023 Santos Tour Down Under champion Jay Vine.
Twenty-nine-year-old Vine is aiming to wrest back the title as part of a wider comeback. There were fears the UAE Team Emirates rider would never walk again, after being involved in a horrific crash in this year’s Tour of the Basque Country.
Vine fought back to win the King of the Mountains classification at the Vuelta a España, before claiming gold for Australia in the UCI Road World Championships in the mixed team relay.
“There’s no feeling quite like racing on home soil,” Vine said.
“We're expecting to have a great battle on our hands in January. I’ve had some very positive results since returning from injury during the year, and we're hoping for a good showing with a very strong team in Adelaide.”
Santos Tour Down Under Race Director Stuart O’Grady said he’s excited for the spectacle of the race’s two most recent champions going head-to-head.
“Stevie Williams and Jay Vine are both extraordinary athletes,” O’Grady said.
“Fans witnessed Williams’ determined style in the frantic finish to Stage 6 at Mount Lofty this year. I know he’s ready to give everything he’s got once again.
“To have Jay Vine back is a big coup for the race. They are both determined to win, so we should see some amazing racing when the title goes on the line.”
The Villawood Men's Classic launches the men’s racing on Saturday, 18 January. Ziptrak Stage One from Prospect to Gumeracha takes place on Tuesday, 21 January, before a winner is crowned after Schwalbe Stage Six in Adelaide’s CBD on Sunday, 26 January.
