We’re shaking up the status quo in a Santos Tour Down Under set to make history. In 2027 men and women will race on the same course, on the same day and over the same distance – becoming the first race anywhere to deliver the groundbreaking format.
Top 10 moments from the 2026 Santos Tour Down Under
02 AUG 2026
From epic climbs to unforgettable sprint finishes, the 2026 Santos Tour Down Under delivered excitement at every turn. Race Directors Stuart O'Grady and Carlee Taylor look back on the 10 moments that made this year's race one to remember.
1. Noemi Rüegg's Stage 3 victory over a trio of UAE Team ADQ riders
The defining moment of the Santos Women's Tour Down Under came on the final stage when Noemi Rüegg held off three UAE Team ADQ riders on the climb to Campbelltown. Isolated against overwhelming numbers, the Swiss rider showed remarkable composure and determination to defend the ochre jersey, securing the biggest victory of her career and go back to back in the Santos Women's Tour Down Under.
2. Jay Vine's final-stage crash with the kangaroo before securing the overall title with a broken wrist
Just hours before wrapping up overall victory, Jay Vine suffered one of the most extraordinary incidents in Tour history when he collided with a kangaroo during a training ride. Despite fracturing his wrist, the Australian bravely took to the start line in Stirling, completed the final stage and secured the Santos Ochre Leader's Jersey in a display of grit and resilience that quickly became one of the stories of the race.
3. Every Women's WorldTour team and the reigning world champion on the start line
The 2026 Santos Women's Tour Down Under marked a major milestone for the event, with every UCI Women's WorldTour team lining up in Adelaide. Adding to the occasion, the reigning UCI Road World Champion competed in the race for the first time, underscoring the growing status of the event and highlighting its place among the most important races on the international women's calendar.
4. Jay Vine and Jhonatan Narváez's Corkscrew 1–2
Race Day 3 delivered one of the key moments of the men's race as UAE Team Emirates-XRG stamped its authority on the Corkscrew Road climb. Jay Vine and Jhonatan Narváez rode clear of their rivals and finished one-two in Campbelltown, showcasing the team's strength and laying the foundations for Vine's eventual overall victory.
5. Ally Wollaston's Willunga win after the peloton caught Vigilia in the final 300 metres
Willunga Hill provided its usual drama as Ally Wollaston stormed to victory after an extraordinary chase. With Vigilia appearing destined for a memorable solo success, the peloton dug deep and reeled her in inside the final 300 metres. Wollaston timed her effort to perfection, claiming one of the most thrilling stage wins of the women's race.
6. Stage 4 shake-up and Ethan Vernon's Willunga victory
Few stages captured the unpredictability of cycling better than Race Day 4. Modified due to extreme conditions, the race immediately exploded into action as strong winds split the peloton from the opening kilometres. Aggressive racing continued all day before Ethan Vernon emerged victorious in Willunga, capping a stage remembered as much for its chaos and tactical battles as its final result.
7. Henley Beach debuts as a stage start before Sam Welsford claims a seventh stage win
The Santos Tour Down Under broke new ground with Henley Beach hosting a stage start for the first time. From the South Australian coastline to the finish in Nairne, the day delivered plenty of excitement before Sam Welsford added another chapter to his impressive Tour record, claiming his seventh career stage victory and further cementing his status as one of the race's great sprinters.
8. Ally Wollaston's second victory in an epic sprint finish
The finish to Stage 2 delivered one of the standout sprints of the entire event. In a fascinating tactical battle, the reigning world champion led out race leader Noemi Rüegg, only for Ally Wollaston to surge past both riders and take the win. The result showcased the depth of talent in the women's peloton and set the tone for a fiercely contested week of racing.
9. Matthew Brennan's Stage 1 heartbreak before bouncing back in Stirling
The young Brit came agonisingly close to victory in Tanunda, only to be beaten on the line by Tobias Lund Andresen after a thrilling sprint finish. Brennan responded in style on the final day in Stirling, claiming a breakthrough WorldTour victory and turning heartbreak into one of the most memorable redemption stories of the 2026 Santos Tour Down Under.
10. Samuel Watson's Prologue victory
The 2026 Santos Tour Down Under burst into life when rising British star Samuel Watson stormed to victory in the Prologue. Against a stacked field of established WorldTour riders, the young rider produced a stunning ride to claim the first ochre jersey of the race and announce himself on the international stage. It was a breakthrough moment that showcased the Santos Tour Down Under's longstanding reputation as a race where cycling's next stars can make their mark.
Explore the 2027 stages
After reliving the unforgettable action of 2026 — discover the stages that will shape another thrilling Santos Tour Down Under in 2027.
