Simon Clarke to sign off at Santos Tour Down Under 2026
28 MAY 2025
One of Australia’s most experienced road cyclists, Simon Clarke, is set to call time on his 17-year professional career at the Santos Tour Down Under (TDU) in Adelaide in January.
The 38-year-old, who is currently racing the Giro d’Italia, announced that this would be his last full season in the WorldTour peloton and he would sign off from professional cycling at the end of the Australian summer.
That includes waving goodbye to the Australian fans at the TDU, which he rode for the first time back in 2006 and won the young rider classification in 2007.
Clarke is a two-time Olympian whose lengthy career includes three stage wins at the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana – where he also won the mountains jersey – and second place in Amstel Gold Race. He has also served as a loyal domestique and road captain for several teams throughout his career.
“It’s hard to put into words what this sport has meant to me,” Clarke said.
“I left Australia at just 16 years old with a dream to make it in Europe as a cyclist, I had no guarantees, just a deep love for the sport and a determination to chase something bigger.
“Over the years I’ve had the privilege of racing on the world’s biggest stages, standing on podiums, supporting teammates and being part of some truly special moments in the sport.
“Cycling has given me so much, and I’ll always be grateful for the journey. There’s no better way to close this chapter than racing at home, in front of family, friends and Aussie fans who’ve supported me from the very beginning.”
Santos Tour Down Under Race Director Stuart O’Grady OAM described Clarke as “one of the all-time great Australian cyclists”.
“When I think of Simon Clarke I think of such a calm, level-headed professional,” O’Grady said.
“He’s won Grand Tour stages, the KOM jersey at the Vuelta and his second place behind Mathieu Van Der Poel in Amstel (Gold Race) in 2019 was one of his best one-day races.
“He’s also been a fantastic leader and a captain on the road with a lot of top-tier teams and I had the pleasure of riding with him when he came into Orica (GreenEDGE) at the end of my career, and he’s always been about Australia-first, green and gold.”
O’Grady said the 2026 Santos Tour Down Under would serve as a fitting farewell for Clarke.
“It’s really important these guys have the opportunity, and the agreement with their team, to train through summer and finish in front of their home fans and family,” O’Grady said.
“It’s fantastic acknowledgement and a respectful decision by the team to allow him to do that, and a fitting way to finish at the race which helped kick-start his career so he’s come absolute full circle.
