Preview: Tour Down Under
Where the WorldTour season officially begins
Next Tuesday, the WorldTour season opens where it has so often found its rhythm: South Australia. The Tour Down Under is not just the first WorldTour race of the year — it is cycling’s annual reset, where form, hierarchy and intent begin to surface.
The defending champion, Jhonatan Narváez, returns to defend his title. In doing so, he leads a UAE Team Emirates squad that also includes a former winner: Jay Vine, victorious in 2023.
The only other active former champion, Stephen Williams, will not line up this year.
History, however, will be very much present.
Multiple Winners: Rare Territory in Adelaide
Winning the Tour Down Under more than once is an exception rather than a rule. Only one rider has managed to truly own the race.
Most overall victories
🇦🇺 Simon Gerrans — 4 (2006, 2012, 2014, 2016)
🇿🇦 Daryl Impey — 2 (2018, 2019)
🇦🇺 Richie Porte — 2 (2017, 2020)
🇩🇪 André Greipel — 2 (2008, 2010)
🇦🇺 Stuart O’Grady — 2 (1999, 2001)
Active winners
🇪🇨 Jhonatan Narváez — 1 (2025)
🇬🇧 Stephen Williams — 1 (2024)
🇦🇺 Jay Vine — 1 (2023)
Narváez now has the chance to move from “winner” to “repeat contender” — a step that historically separates one-off success from lasting control.
