"The first two stages should be pretty straight forward and should be settled in bunch sprints," Mitchelton-Scott's head sports director, Matt White, tells Cyclingnews. "That said, the weather will always influence the day at a race like the Tour Down Under. It's basically hot or really hot, but the strength of the wind will determine how stressful a day it will turn out to be.
"Stage 1 is very flat but has many kilometres of open and exposed roads, and that's where the heat and the wind will factor in. We have started in Port Adelaide many a time but never finished there so the run-in and circuits will be new for all. There are several small climbs and descents in the first half of the race, but the break should be quick to go, and expect a rider from the national team from UniSA to be in there for sure."
-
Why are pro cyclists hitting the gym?
Strength training is becoming more popular in the peloton for good reason -
'I'm trying to become a better climber' - Kristen Faulkner back in action at Ardennes Classics
EF Education-Oatly rider fresh off team elevation camp to compete on weekend at De Brabantse Pijl and Amstel Gold Race -
Rapha Pro Team Powerweave shorts review: Over a year with Rapha’s most expensive bibshorts
The Powerweave bibshorts are a solid option but I’m not sure the performance matches the very high price -
Best carbon road bikes 2025: Our pick of the best racing and endurance road bikes
Carbon road bikes combine meticulous weight saving, geometry tweaking and aerodynamic sculpting to rule the road
