What is a UCI WorldTour stage race?
We break it down for you in simple terms.
Welcome to the exhilarating world of the Santos Tour Down Under: opening event of the international cycling season.
The best women and men on the planet will compete on stages through South Australia’s most celebrated countryside, beautiful towns and the wide boulevards of central Adelaide.
Each team is a finely tuned machine, led by a directeur sportif (DS), the mastermind who orchestrates strategies from the team car.
With roles ranging from domestiques fetching water and energy bars to sprinters racing across the finish line, every rider has a mission.
In the heat of the race, tactics like crosswind ambushes or uphill attacks come alive, all while the DS makes split-second decisions that can change a race's outcome.
The Santos Tour Down Under women’s race has 10 UCI WorldTeams, two UCI ProTeams, one UCI Continental team and the ARA Australian Cycling team. Each has six riders.
The Santos Tour Down Under men’s race has 18 UCI WorldTour teams and two invitational teams: one UCI ProCycling team and the ARA Australian Cycling Team. Each has seven riders.
Let’s dive into gripping tales of teamwork and tactics as we head towards a remarkable 25th edition of the Santos Tour Down Under!
Roles in a UCI WorldTour cycling team:
Team leader: The rider aiming for the overall win or key stage victories. The entire team supports their goals.
Domestiques: Support riders who help the leader by:
- Shielding them from the wind (drafting)
- Fetching food and drinks from the team car
- Chasing down breakaways or attacking competitors
- Aiming to control the pace of the peloton
Sprinter: Focuses on winning flatter stages, with teammates helping position them for the final sprint.
Climbers: Specialised in climbing stages, they usually help the leader in hilly terrain.
Time trialist: Excels in individual or team time trials, where speed over a set distance is key.
Road racing format and time bonuses:
Stage races: Multi-day races with different types of stages (flat, hills, climbs, time trials).
General Classification (GC): Overall standings based on cumulative time across all stages.
Time bonuses: Awarded to top finishers of stages and intermediate sprints, reducing their total time in the GC.
Ten, six, and four seconds are awarded to the top three stage finishers.
Intermediate sprints offer smaller bonuses; three, two, and one second.
Deeper look into race strategies and roles:
Team strategy:
Teams use domestiques to control the peloton's pace, ensuring breakaways don't gain too much time.
In mountain stages, teams aim to isolate rival leaders, making it easier for their leader to attack.
Sprinter’s strategy:
Sprinters' teams work to keep the race together in flat stages, aiming for a bunch sprint.
The lead-out train positions the sprinter in the final kilometres for the best chance at victory.
Climbers’ role:
In mountain stages, climbers set a hard pace to drop competitors and prepare the leader for a decisive attack.
Some climbers may also serve as a secondary leader for hilly stages.
Role of the directeur sportif (DS):
Strategist and tactician: The DS drives the team car, communicates strategies and adjusts tactics in real-time.
Motivator: Provides psychological support, motivating riders during tough stages.
Logistics manager: Handles race logistics, from food and water distribution to mechanical issues.
Key decision maker: Decides when to chase breakaways, set pace or attack, impacting the race outcome significantly.
The DS is crucial for overall team coordination, making them one of the most vital non-riding roles.
Santos Tour Down Under jerseys:
Santos Ochre Jersey: Worn by the overall leader, symbolising the race’s best rider based on cumulative time.
Ziptrak Sprint Jersey: Awarded to the leader of the sprint classification, recognising the fastest and most consistent sprinter.
efex Queen or King of the Mountain Jersey: Given to the best climber, highlighting the rider who excels in mountainous terrain.
Zwift Young Rider Jersey: For the best-placed young rider, celebrating the top-performing cyclist under the age of 23.
These jerseys not only signify the leaders in different categories but also serve as a strategic target for other riders and teams, intensifying competition throughout the Santos Tour Down Under.
