Your guide to the 2026 Santos Tour Down Under Men's Stages

DEFINITIVE ELEMENTS OF THE RACE 

The prologue returns 
There’s nothing like a prologue to change race dynamics from the very first kilometre. This will be just the second time in Santos Tour Down Under history that one has featured – and in 2026 fans can get even closer to the action.

Riders are set to leave from the City of Adelaide Tour Village in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga and travel east down Wakefield Street to Victoria Park, completing a lap of its criterium circuit before finishing in front of the heritage grandstand. Those chasing ochre will need to push hard here, aware as always that an early time deficit could curb their chances of overall victory.  

Willunga Hill: triple treat   
One journey to the summit is a challenge. Twice is a test. Three times? We’re about to find out. THINK! Road Safety to Stage 4 of the men’s race features three ascents of notorious Willunga Hill, the category one climb that mercilessly sorts heroes from hopefuls.

The triple will make its race debut on a 176-kilometre stage due to leave from Brighton and travel through Flagstaff Hill and Coromandel Valley en route to the Fleurieu Peninsula. Total ascent for the day is 2572 metres. Expect drama.  

Our toughest race on record 
The season-opening Santos Tour Down Under is already known for its high calibre of competition – a favourite among in-form Aussies and their overseas counterparts eager to impress. Now we take it up a notch. Longer stages, harder climbs and technical descents are on the agenda, forming a race that demands a six-day strategy right from the start. The game here is as much mental as physical.

MEN'S PROLOGUE: ADELAIDE
Tuesday 20 January 2026

Stage summary 
Our 3.6-kilometre prologue will begin just beyond the City of Adelaide Tour Village in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga and continue east to finish after a lap of the Victoria Park criterium circuit. Riders are set to stay close to home, warming up in their team booths before descending from the start ramp and pushing hard for the line. Shorter, dynamic cyclists are expected to dominate here, with the leader to take their place in our hot seat while the action plays out. A special exemption means cyclists will contest the prologue on road rather than time-trial bikes, as was the case when this curtain-raiser made its 2023 debut.   

At a glance
All in is the only option across this city prologue circuit. Each rider is expected to spend close to five minutes on the course, which begins outside the City of Adelaide Tour Village and will travel down Wakefield Street, on to East Terrace and then enter Victoria Park’s criterium circuit via Halifax Street before finishing in front of the heritage grandstand. 

Finish 
The historic Victoria Park Grandstand is the best place to catch all the prologue action. From here fans will have views across the circuit as riders enter from Halifax Street, complete their lap and barrel towards the line.

MEN'S STAGE 1: TANUNDA TO TANUNDA
Wednesday 21 January 2026

We’ll see riders tackle 120 kilometres through world-famous wine country, starting and finishing along Murray Street in Tanunda. Stage 1 will pass landmarks including the new Barossa Park sporting precinct, ascend Menglers Hill and wind between vineyards before sprinters’ leadout trains begin to take shape. Three clockwise loops through Tanunda mean plenty of vantage points for fans, while the nearby town of Lyndoch will also greet the peloton. 

At a glance 
The year’s first regional stage is headed to the Barossa: storied terrain for the Santos Tour Down Under and a feature since its first edition in 1999. Tanunda will host the start and finish, with the peloton to pass through the nearby town of Lyndoch before venturing north for three passes of a scenic loop that includes Angaston and Bethany. Menglers Hill returns to challenge new-season legs, though it’s sprinters who will be out to dominate in the closing kilometres and assert their authority early.    

Sprints
Sprinters have their first chance to flex almost 11 kilometres into this stage, with classification points on offer along Barossa Valley Way at Lyndoch. Look for the new Barossa Park behind them – best known as the venue for two Gather Round matches in 2025. From there attention turns to Murray Street in Angaston, which will host the day’s remaining two Ziptrak® sprints. They’re slated for the 68 and 99-kilometre marks respectively. 

Climbs
In a region known for its gentle slopes there’s only one climb that counts. Menglers Hill returns as a feature of Stage 1 and will force the peloton’s fastest men out of the saddle. We’ll see three ascents of its more modest northern side: a 2.1-kilometre, category three push that offers 79 metres of vertical and an average gradient of 3.9 per cent. Look for the first climb 44 kilometres into racing, followed by another pass at the 75-kilometre mark and a final slog with just 13 kilometres left for the day. Tactics on this last descent will be crucial in setting up contenders for the stage win.   

Finish
Murray Street in Tanunda is celebrated Santos Tour Down Under territory: scene of sprint victories from the likes of Sam Welsford and Phil Bauhaus. In this – the town’s 15th race appearance – riders will approach from the south, travelling along Bethany Road before veering right on to Barossa Valley Way and storming home.  

HEALTH PARTNERS MEN'S STAGE TWO: NORWOOD TO URAIDLA
Thursday 22 January 2026

Incline? You bet. Health Partners Stage 2 promises 148 kilometres of all-out effort as cyclists race from inner-city Norwood to Uraidla in the Adelaide Hills. Three huge climbs are on the agenda, with a grind up Norton Summit followed by a visit to Mt Lofty and the men’s first dual ascent of notorious Corkscrew Road. Two sweeping loops through communities including Crafers, Piccadilly, Lobethal and Cudlee Creek will keep the world’s best busy – and anything is possible as they make a last push to the line. 

At a glance
Climbers: it’s go time. This third day of racing will be shaped by uphill power and is poised to reveal serious contenders for ochre. All eyes will be on Norwood as the peloton takes off, heading first for Norton Summit and its sweeping city views. From there this winding route pushes further into the Adelaide Hills – including a quick hello to Mt Lofty. We’ll see two loops through the heart of the region, dual passes up Corkscrew Road and 3722 metres of total ascent for the day. A stage finish in Uraidla looms as one for the books.  

Sprints 
Sprinters have two opportunities to earn classification points, both sandwiched between climbs that demand tenacity. The first comes along Main Street in Lobethal at 49.4 kilometres into the stage, while the second will take place over the Greenhill Road finish line in Uraidla with 87.4 kilometres complete. From there anticipation is set to build for the peloton’s return about 55 kilometres later.  

Climbs
First is Norton Summit at Ashton, a 10-kilometre slog offering 436 metres of ascent that will be conquered just 25 minutes into the stage. And while the average gradient of this category two climb is a manageable four per cent, the 12.6 per cent incline of its steepest section is sure to sting. 

Finish
Uraidla will host its fourth Santos Tour Down Under finish on the same stretch of Greenhill Road that has seen champions Peter Sagan and Javier Romo prevail in previous years. Excitement here comes from riders’ descent into the town before navigating a sharp right-hand turn and pushing uphill to the line. It’s a closing challenge after almost 150 kilometres in the saddle – one requiring every last ounce of strength and technical nous.

ZIPTRAK® MEN'S STAGE THREE: HENLEY BEACH TO NAIRNE
Friday 23 January 2026

We start the day in Henley: beloved by beachgoers and ready for its Santos Tour Down Under debut. This 140-kilometre third stage is set to head south to Flagstaff Hill and Coromandel Valley before visiting Adelaide Hills communities including Clarendon, Kangarilla, Meadows and Echunga. Climbers will step it up on the steep slopes of Wickham Hill at McLaren Flat and Mount Barker’s Summit Road, with a Ziptrak® sprint in Echunga before a 19-kilometre loop leading to a final showdown in Nairne. It will be the first men’s stage finish in this picturesque town, and a chance for GC contenders to tighten the screws with more big climbs to come.  

At a glance
Summer mornings call for coastal vistas – and we have just the place. Henley Beach is hosting a stage start for the first time, welcoming the world’s best as they saddle up for a day largely spent in the Adelaide Hills. Climbs through Flagstaff Hill and Coromandel Valley will offer early challenges, with more vertical in store on McLaren Flat’s Wickham Hill and Summit Road in Mount Barker. Riders are due to enter Nairne before spending the final 19km of this undulating stage on a loop north of the town, returning for a push to the line set to favour sprinters.  

Sprints
Sprint points are up for grabs on Mawson Road in Meadows at the 57.7-kilometre mark, and again along Angus Road in Echunga once riders have covered 100.3 kilometres of this third stage. 

Climbs
A climb to rival the storied slopes of Willunga? Believe it. Wickham Hill at McLaren Flat looms as a major challenge on stage three. This category one ascent extends over three kilometres, offering an average gradient of seven per cent, a punishing steepest section of 11 per cent and 207 metres of elevation gain. It will be contested 32.2 kilometres into the stage. Riders’ second chance to earn efex King of the Mountain points will come on the category three Summit Road at Mount Barker with 116.4 kilometres complete.  

Finish 
Fans will gather along the charming main street of Nairne as this third stage comes to a close. Sprint stars have a chance to make their mark here, but the big question is whether they’ll be in contention following climbs earlier in the day. 

THINK! ROAD SAFETY MEN'S STAGE FOUR: BRIGHTON TO WILLUNGA HILL
Saturday 24 January 2026

We all know Willunga Hill: scene of so much Santos Tour Down Under history and epic efforts from riders including Richie Porte and Sarah Gigante. But never before have we seen three ascents of its slopes – and the resulting impact on contenders for overall victory. Who can deliver when it counts? We’ll find out on this 176-kilometre queen stage. Action begins in beachside Brighton and will travel through McLaren Vale before climbers come out to play. Look for coastal Ziptrak® sprints at Aldinga’s Snapper Point, and plenty of team tactics en route to a summit finish after the third and final push.

At a glance
Assembling the toughest Santos Tour Down Under yet means ratcheting up the degree of difficulty even on familiar terrain. Case in point: Willunga Hill. In previous years riders have made one or perhaps two ascents; here they will conquer its punishing slopes three times. THINK! Road Safety Stage 4 is set to leave from the coastal community of Brighton, travelling through Flagstaff Hill and Coromandel Valley before arriving on the Fleurieu Peninsula. We’ll see Ziptrak® sprints at Aldinga’s Snapper Point interspersed with the day’s defining climb – plus another summit finish you simply have to see.  

Sprints
The peloton’s fastest men will grit their teeth to survive this stage but still need to power through two crucial Ziptrak® sprints. The Esplanade at Aldinga’s Snapper Point is set to host the action, with coastal cross-winds a possible curveball. We’ll see riders sweep through at the 86-kilometre mark, after their first ascent of Willunga Hill, and again with 127 kilometres of the stage complete. From there? The only way is up. 

Climbs
Climbing action on this stage will be concentrated on the one and only Willunga Hill. In total we’ll see 2492 metres of ascent for the day, largely comprised of the three passes up its slopes. The stats? Three kilometres at an average gradient of 7.5 per cent, with a steepest section of 11 per cent and 220 metres of total elevation gain. Ouch. 

Finish 
It’s time. A 176-kilometre day in the saddle will lead riders to the top of Willunga Hill and across a finish straight lined with fans. This route is familiar to so many: the last kick towards the summit, a left-hand turn and perhaps a chance to sit up and celebrate the moment. 

EFEX MEN'S STAGE FIVE: STIRLING TO STIRLING
Sunday 25 January 2026

It’s up, it’s down and it’s on as the men chase victory on this final day of racing. Stirling is set to host the stage start and finish, with scenic loops through towns including Mylor and Aldgate inviting fans to embrace the action. At 169.8 kilometres this is among the longest closing stages in Santos Tour Down Under history, chosen by race director Stuart O’Grady OAM to keep the world’s best working strategically until the very last moment. We’ll see a two-kilometre climb on approach to Stirling, Ziptrak® sprints in Heathfield and a weary winner emerge after a huge day in the saddle.  

At a glance
Leafy streets and old stone buildings abound, but riders won’t have time to enjoy Stirling’s charm. Instead their attention will be on surviving (and perhaps even thriving) across a final stage with a sting in its tail. Mount Barker Road – just near the Stirling Hotel – is set to host the start-finish line, with 170 kilometres of racing to unfold across the Adelaide Hills. Settle in as the peloton tackles eight laps of an undulating circuit that heads south from Stirling, offering Ziptrak® sprints at Longwood and visiting Mylor and Aldgate before it loops around again. 

Sprints
Ziptrak® sprints on this closing stage will be contested on the same stretch of Longwood Road at Heathfield, just near the local high school’s tennis courts. Points are on offer at the 45 and 130-kilometre marks respectively – either a chance for the classification winner to consolidate their lead or the jersey to be decided.

Climbs
We’ll see seven passes through Stirling before the stage wraps up, and four chances for the peloton to earn the final efex King of the Mountain points on offer. The category two Stirling climb extends along Mount Barker Road on approach to the start-finish line, covering two kilometres and comprising 78 metres of total ascent. Its average gradient is four per cent, kicking up to a punishing maximum of 11 per cent. 

Finish 
Stirling has been a feature of the Santos Tour Down Under women’s race over the past two years – scene of unforgettable wins from Chloé Dygert and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig. Now the men have their turn. Expect anticipation to build steadily throughout the day and a big crowd awaiting the peloton as crunch time draws near.