Read more: Sarah Gigante smashes Strava record in Willunga Hill time trial win, as Onley falls short of Porte’s KOM
Tour Down Under stage 4: Unstoppable Sam Welsford bags third stage win
Sam Welsford’s scintillating form in Adelaide continued as the sprinter claimed his third victory in four stages. The Bora-Hansgrohe rider’s leadout train was less efficient than previous stages but that didn’t faze the 28-year-old as he surfed the wheels before launching a stinging kick which no one could match. Biniam Girmay (Intermarché–Wanty) was forced to settle for second while Lars Boven (Alpecin-Deceuninck) took third.
It was a disappointing day for many of the fast men who now face the prospect of heading home empty handed, with the final two stages serving up summit finishes as the GC battle comes to the fore.
Stage 4 race report and results.
Tour Down Under stage 3: Sam Welsford continues blistering form to double up
With the likes of Bora-Hansgrohe and Ineos Grenadiers keeping the day under a vice-like grip, Sam Welsford was able to power to a second stage victory of the race at the Santos Tour Down Under. After having been tipped for success in our preview, Welsford has shot into the blue jersey in the race standings.
The Australian enjoyed another tremendous lead-out by new teammate Danny van Poppel, and once Welsford had a clear view of the finish line, there was no stopping him. Ineos Grenadiers’ Elia Viviani finished in second place after a fine pull from Josh Tarling, whilst Dan McLay (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) rounded out the podium.
Stage 3 race report and results.
Tour Down Under stage 2: Isaac del Toro shocks the sprinters to pick up first pro win
Following in the wheel tracks of Bora-Hansgrohe’s Sam Welsford, UAE Team Emirates’ Isaac del Toro secured his first victory in his new team colours at the Santos Tour Down Under. The Mexican starlet won stage 2 in sensational fashion, by stealing a march on the peloton and holding off the forlorn sprinters.
The majority of the stage was a tepid affair, save for a two-up attack between Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla) and Jhonatan Narváez (Ineos Grenadiers) that never fully managed to materialise. That was, until, Del Toro threw a cat amongst the pigeons inside the final kilometre.
Sensing a momentary lull in the pace, Del Toro shot out from the pack like a gun and passed riders left, right and centre. By the time the peloton had realised what was happening, the 20-year-old was too far gone and had the time to post up before the line and celebrate his first professional victory.
Behind Del Toro, it was left to Israel-Premier Tech to begrudgingly sweep up second and third with Corbin Strong and Stephen Williams, respectively.
Stage 2 race report and results.
Read more: Isaac del Toro: Chris Froome and Nairo Quintana inspired me to follow my dream
Tour Down Under stage 1: Sam Welsford wins first race in Bora-Hansgrohe colours in Tanunda
Sam Welsford (Bora-Hansgrohe) scored his first victory for his new team on stage 1 of the Tour Down Under. The Australian was the fastest in Tanunda and took both the stage win and the overall race lead.
Phil Bauhaus and Biniam Girmay completed the top three, while pre-race favourite Caleb Ewan finished fourth after a recent bout of illness.
Stage 1 race report and results.
Santos Tour Down Under latest news
Five takeaways from the Santos Tour Down Under
Stephen Williams: I want to go to the biggest races in the world and do this
Oscar Onley ‘pretty disappointed’ on final day but takes positives from Tour Down Under
‘I can do better’ – Isaac del Toro misses out on final Tour Down Under stage
Sarah Gigante smashes Strava record in Willunga Hill time trial win
Tour Down Under: Stevie Williams ‘over the moon’ in leader’s jersey but tough defence looms
‘We’re not here for a holiday’ – teams already chasing UCI points at Tour Down Under
Luke Plapp abandons Tour Down Under following stage 3 crash
‘It’s good to be back in the game’ – Laurens De Plus returns to strength after Vuelta a España TTT crash
Tour Down Under: Luke Plapp finishes stage 3 bloodied after heavy crash
Tour Down Under: Even the sprinters couldn’t follow Isaac del Toro, says Girmay
‘There was a bit of language’ – Luke Plapp smooths over Narváez non-cooperation at Tour Down Under
Ineos Grenadiers under ‘no real pressure’ at Tour Down Under, says DS
‘The heat was in control’ – temperatures stem action in opening Tour Down Under stage
Tour Down Under 2024: 5 riders to watch in the men’s race
‘We want to win every stage and GC’ – Jayco aim big at Tour Down Under
Tour Down Under: Richie Porte’s stage-by-stage guide to the men’s race
Tour Down Under 2024 men’s race start list
Valtteri Bottas sets searing Strava time on Willunga Hill ahead of its Tour Down Under return
Can Julian Alaphilippe light up Tour Down Under with Willunga Hill fireworks?
Riders recon Willunga Hill: Might the Strava records fall in Tour Down Under?
Santos Tour Down Under race tech
Tour Down Under Hot Tech: Pro bikes, hot trends, new gear and more
Tour Down Under tech gallery: New bikes, shoes and custom components
Tour Down Under pro bike: Biniam Girmay’s Cube Litening Aero C:68X
Lidl-Trek rider spotted using unreleased Bontrager shoes at Tour Down Under
Tour Down Under pro bike: Sam Welsford’s stage 1-winning Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8
Tour Down Under pro bike: Filippo Ganna’s Pinarello Dogma F
Quinn Simmons believes UCI is overlooking bigger safety issues amid new lever regulations at Tour Down Under
Santos Tour Down Under general race information
For almost 25 years, Australia’s flagship stage race – the Tour Down Under – has been regarded as one of the biggest early-season events on cycling’s international calendar.
Taking place in the southern hemisphere’s summer, the Tour Down Under also serves as a perfect getaway for pros who want to make their debuts in sunny Australia, rather than in cold and damp Europe.
In 2024 the race returns for the 23rd time and runs between January 16-21. The race starts with the Tour Down Under Classic on January 13 – a downtown criterium in the centre of Adelaide. This race does not count towards the overall classification of the six-day Tour Down Under, which begins on January 16.
The race takes place in and around Adelaide, the capital of South Australia and the fifth-most populous city in the country. Ever since its first edition in 1999, it has been held over six days, with each stage setting off from a similar location before heading out and touring the varied terrain around the city. Several cruise
along the coast, while others head deep into the rugged Adelaide Hills.
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