After a two-year break, the World Tour peloton returns to Australia to kick off the 2023 calendar at Tour Down Under.
From January 17 to 22, some of the world’s greatest riders will gather in Adelaide to shake off the cobwebs and compete in sprints, uphill climbs, and even a prologue.
Summer in Australia is expected to be hot, with temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius. Those who have travelled from Europe for the race may have a shock, whilst those who have spent the last few months in Australia may have an advantage, not to mention the extra watts that a home race may summon.
So, what awaits the peloton as they open their 2023 accounts?
Let’s not forget Olympians Alexandra Manly and Georgia Baker.
When 2023 Santos Tour Down Under:
The Tour Down Under kicks off on Tuesday, January 17 and runs through Sunday, January 22.
2023 Santos Tour Down Under How to Watch Free:
Viewers around the world can watch the action live on the following channels and here for free:
Live Broadcast: 2023 Santos Tour Down Under Live
Who Won The 2022 Santos Tour Down Under?
“The Santos Festival of Cycling is once again provided as a domestic event due to current restrictions and issues with foreign travel connected to the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to the website.
The event was cancelled because organizers could not accommodate international teams and local border control.
The 2021 edition was likewise cancelled due to COVID-19.
Richie Porte won his second Santos Tour Down Under overall title in 2020, while Darly Impey won back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019.
Which Teams Are Competing In The 2023 Santos Tour Down Under?
| Male teams | Female teams |
| Jayco – Alula (AU) | Jayco – Alula (AU) |
| AG2R Citroen (FR) | Trek – Segafredo (US) |
| Astana Qazaqstan (KZ) | FDJ – Suez (FR) |
| Bahrain Victorious (BH) | Human Powered Health (US) |
| Trek – Segafredo (US) | Israel Premier Tech Roland (CH) |
| Cofidis (FR) | EF Eduation – Tibco – SVB (US) |
| Soudal Quick-Step (BE) | Coop – Hitec Products (NO) |
| Alpecin – Deceuninck (BE) | Zaaf Cycling (ES) |
| Groupama – FDJ (FR) | ARA Skip Capital (AU) |
| Ineos Grenadiers (UK) | Bridgelane (AU) |
| Jumbo – Visma (NL) | Australian National Team (AU) |
| Intermarchie – Circus – Wanty (BE) | New Zealand National Team (NZ) |
| Movistar (ES) | St Michel – Mavic – Auber93 (FR) |
| DSM (NL) | |
| UAE Team Emirates (AE) | |
| Arkea – Samsic (FR) | |
| EF Education – Easypost (US) | |
| Bora – Hansgrohe (DE) | |
| Israel Premier Tech (IL) | |
| Australian National Team (AU) |
Are The 2023 Santos Tour Down Under Part Of The World Tour?
The Tour Down Under is the UCI World Tour’s traditional opening event, featuring all 19 UCI WorldTeams.
According to the website, the women’s race will be included in the World Tour for the first time in 2023.
“It’s finally going to happen. The ladies will compete at the UCI World Tour level for the first time in 2023. This January, South Australia will host the first UCI Women’s WorldTour stage race in the southern hemisphere.”
2023 Santos Tour Down Under Prize Money:
According to an article published by AdelaideNow in 2018, the prize money for both men and women was $105,000, with the latter being equalised in January of that year.
“The Women’s Tour Down Under initially had a prize fund of roughly $15,000,” according to the newspaper.
“However, in a “world-first compensation rise,” Sports Minister Leon Bignell promised $90,000 in additional awards for the tournament.
“Riders will now get the same prize money as men for each stage starting this year, including $6120 for a stage win and $18,359 for the general classification, which will apply to all future events.
“The Union Cyclist Internationale regulates race prize money.”
2023 Santos Tour Down Under Contenders:
All 18 WorldTour teams are present at Tour Down Under, where they are attempting to open their 2023 accounts and win valuable points early in the new three-year WorldTour cycle.
The new UCI points system means that as a World Tour stage race, Tour Down Under has lots of points to give, so the trip to Australia will be well worth it for the teams who win points and avoid the dreaded relegation zone.
Rohan Dennis, a local favourite, will enjoy this course (Jumbo-Visma). The prologue, in particular, will benefit his time trial abilities, potentially earning him a critical time buffer. It remains to be seen whether he can compete overall across six days, but we can anticipate him and his squad to put up a good fight.
Daryl Impey, the two-time overall winner of the Santos Tour Down Under, will also compete in Adelaide for the final time after announcing his retirement at the end of 2023. He is joined by Simon Clarke, a 2022 Tour de France stage winner, and Giacomo Nizzolo, a former European champion.
INEOS will be represented by Australian national champion Luke Plapp, Geraint Thomas, and promising talents Ethan Hayter and Magnus Sheffield.
Jayco AlUla, an Australian-registered team, will be seeking to excel in the race’s first edition in two years. Michael Matthews is versatile enough to compete for many stages for the squad, while Simon Yates will focus on the final stage and overall.
Jai Hindley, a fellow Australian and 2022 Giro d’Italia winner, will be a strong contender for the overall with Bora Hansgrohe.
Ben O’Connor (AG2R Citroen), Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates), and Michael Storer are among home-country overall candidates to keep an eye on (Groupama-FDJ).
Caleb Ewan will ride for the national team in the sprints, but he will have to beat out Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) and Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) to win.
