World first Santos Tour Down Under merger to make cycling history

The Santos Tour Down Under (TDU) is set to make history as the first WorldTour race to hold men’s and women’s stages on the same course on the same day and over the same distance next year.

In the most significant development to the race program in the event’s 26-year history, the TDU will run both men’s and women’s stages concurrently when the 2027 edition is held from January 19-24 (subject to final UCI calendar approval). 

The UCI WorldTour season will open with a six-stage men’s race from the Tuesday to Sunday and coincide with the opening of the UCI Women’s WorldTour season, with a three-stage race which will be held from the Friday to the Sunday – capitalising on the event’s momentum which every year builds towards a bumper final weekend of racing. 

On the corresponding race days, the women’s peloton will start approximately 90 minutes after the men roll out, covering the same distance and route by utilising the same start and finish locations.

The impetus for change was a request by the UCI, following feedback from the women’s teams, to reduce the total time the women’s peloton is required to spend in Australia for two WorldTour races – the Santos Tour Down Under and Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – and subsequently for the TDU to condense its race schedule.  

In Europe this year, major races including Paris-Roubaix, Tour of Flanders and Tour de Suisse will hold their men’s and women’s events on the same day – but over different distances and routes. 

The TDU will be the first to mirror the stage for both men’s and women’s races, and follows a move by the event in 2018 to become the first race in the world to offer equal prizemoney for women and men. 

It is expected both men’s and women’s races will be broadcast live. 

The 2026 Santos Tour Down Under was attended by 749,953 spectators, driving $86.9 million of expenditure and $51.2m in value to the South Australian economy. 

The Barossa, which hosted a men’s and women’s double-header stage this year, saw a 79 per cent increase in overnight stays, while there was also 10 per cent growth in City of Adelaide Tour Village attendance which surpassed 70,000 people. 

Broadcast figures show the men’s TDU achieved a total TV reach of 1.42m around Australia, while audiences for the women’s race were up 50 per cent with a total TV reach of 757,000. 

Details of the stages including start and finish locations will be revealed in coming weeks and will be followed by festival and village programming. 

Minister for Tourism, Emily Bourke said the Santos Tour Down Under has a proud history of innovation and this announcement is groundbreaking not just for the event, but for international cycling. 

“Moving men’s and women’s racing to the same day and the same course is the next step in the race’s evolution, and we expect it will deliver an enhanced fan experience with spectators able to see two starts and finishes on the same day," Minister Bourke said. 

“The race and its associated festival programming already showcases the very best of South Australia to the world, and this new race format will again ensure the state remains the epicentre of international cycling in January.” 

Santos Tour Down Under Race Director, Stuart O’Grady said "we know every year our audience builds, both locally and through visitation, as the event progresses and the final weekend has always proven to be the crescendo with the biggest crowds and our most exciting racing."

“Next year we are excited to leverage that by celebrating both men and women’s cycling together on the final weekend and creating a real moment for cycling," Mr O’Grady said.

“The challenge we were given by the UCI was to deliver a more condensed program of racing and optimise the time the women’s teams spent in Australia. 

“We saw it as an opportunity to do something different and bring both men’s and women’s racing together and finish off with a bumper final weekend of racing. 

“Since the women’s race was introduced to the Santos Tour Down Under in 2016, the level of racing has continually increased and this year was the first time all WorldTeams were on the start line, racing the longest and hardest stages we’ve ever seen. 

“There is no doubt this change poses a big logistical challenge for our team but we are well advanced with our planning and it wouldn’t be possible without the ongoing support of SAPOL and our emergency services who are integral to the event’s success.” 

Santos Tour Down Under Assistant Race Director Carlee Taylor said to have men’s and women’s stage racing on the same day and over the same course is an exciting new frontier for the event. 

“Every year we’ve seen the level of women’s racing at the TDU progress and that will now extend to having the peloton riding longer stages, so I’m looking forward to seeing the atmosphere out on the roads for a huge final weekend of the Tour," Ms Taylor said.

“It’s also a great platform to highlight the strength of our women’s peloton on a level we haven’t seen before, and the fact that we’re even able to do this reflects the growth and progression of women’s cycling.” 

Santos Managing Director and CEO, Kevin Gallagher said Santos has proudly been naming rights sponsor of the Tour Down Under since 2010, and this world-first integrated format is a fantastic innovation that brings men’s and women’s cycling together. 

“This new approach reflects the strength and professionalism of women’s cycling and reinforces South Australia’s reputation in delivering world class sporting events – building on the milestone we set together in 2018 when this event made history as the first major race to deliver equal prizemoney for men and women," Mr Gallagher said.

“We look forward to seeing fans across the state and around the world embrace this exciting evolution and celebrate the world-class athletes who make the Santos Tour Down Under a standout on the global sporting calendar.”