Tour Down Under 2025: Complete Guide to Stages, Contenders & Live Coverage

TL;DR

The 2025 Santos Tour Down Under starts today in Adelaide, marking its historic 25th anniversary. This six-day WorldTour opener covers 819.9 kilometers with 12,469 meters of climbing across South Australia. Race Director Stuart O'Grady introduces the brutal new Knotts Hill climb (22.2% max gradient) and a double ascent of the iconic Willunga Hill. Defending champion Stephen Williams faces tough competition from local favorites Jay Vine and Luke Plapp. Catch all the action live on various platforms, with free coverage in Australia (7plus) and premium options worldwide through FloBikes, Peacock, and Discovery+. The race runs January 21-26, with daily coverage starting at 11:10 AM ACDT.

Santos 2025 Tour Down Under: Race Overview

The 2025 Santos Tour Down Under kicks off today, marking a historic 25th anniversary celebration of Australia's premier cycling event. The UCI WorldTour season opener runs from January 21-26, featuring six action-packed stages across South Australia's most scenic regions. With 819.9 kilometers of racing ahead, 20 elite teams are set to battle for the coveted ochre jersey through the streets of Adelaide and the challenging terrain of the Adelaide Hills.

Race Significance

This milestone edition brings together 140 of the world's best cyclists, including defending champion Stephen Williams and Australian favorites Jay Vine and Luke Plapp. The race marks the beginning of the 2025 professional cycling calendar, with WorldTour teams and select ProTeams competing in what riders are calling "the hardest Tour Down Under ever seen.".

Event Structure

The race features a carefully crafted route that showcases South Australia's diverse landscape:

• Stage racing through the Barossa Valley wine region

• Technical circuits in the Adelaide Hills

• Sprint finishes along coastal routes

• The iconic double ascent of Willunga Hill

Technical Innovation

Race Director Stuart O'Grady has introduced several new elements for 2025, including:

• The challenging Knotts Hill climb (2.6 km at 8%)

• First-ever Willunga Hill descent

• New finish location in Gumeracha

• Return to traditional Adelaide city circuit for the finale

The Tour Village in Victoria Square serves as the race hub, offering fans direct access to team zones, a comprehensive bike expo, and daily race presentations. This anniversary edition balances historic elements with modern racing demands, creating an event that honors the past while pushing cycling into the future.

2025 Tour Down Under: Complete Stage Guide & Race Analysis

The 2025 Santos Tour Down Under explodes into action today with six days of intense racing through South Australia's most spectacular terrain. From the punchy opener in Gumeracha to the iconic double ascent of Willunga Hill, this year's route promises the most challenging edition in race history. The peloton faces a staggering 12,469 meters of climbing across 819.9 kilometers, including the brutal new Knotts Hill climb with its leg-breaking 22.2% gradient. Race Director Stuart O'Grady has crafted a course that perfectly balances sprint opportunities with mountain stages, setting up an epic battle for the coveted ochre jersey. The action culminates in a high-speed circuit race through Adelaide's city center, providing a fitting finale to the WorldTour season opener. With defending champion Stephen Williams facing fierce competition from local favorites and international stars, the 25th anniversary edition is poised to deliver unforgettable racing across South Australia's most iconic cycling roads.

Stage 1: Prospect to Gumeracha

Starting from Adelaide's northern suburb of Prospect, this opening stage winds through the Adelaide Hills in a challenging loop. Riders face their first test on Gorge Road at Paracombe before heading north to Williamstown. The route then circles back through the Adelaide Hills, passing through Gumeracha twice before the final sprint finish. This stage combines early-season climbing challenges with a sprinter-friendly finale.

Image credit: Tour Down Under, Google Maps

Stage 2: Tanunda

Set in the picturesque Barossa Valley wine region, this circuit stage features three laps around Tanunda. The defining feature is the triple ascent of Menglers Hill, approached from its steeper western side. The final climb comes with enough distance to the finish to potentially allow sprinters to regroup.

Image credit: Tour Down Under, Google Maps

Stage 3: Norwood to Uraidla

Considered the queen stage of the race, this brutal day introduces the new Knotts Hill climb. Starting in Norwood, riders immediately tackle Norton Summit before facing two ascents of Knotts Hill in the final 40 kilometers. The technical descent to Uraidla makes positioning crucial for the finale.

Image credit: Tour Down Under, Google Maps

Stage 4: Glenelg to Victor Harbor

The longest stage of the race takes riders along South Australia's scenic coastline. After departing Glenelg, the route features two significant climbs before a potentially wind-affected run-in to Victor Harbor. The combination of distance and late climbs could favor either breakaway specialists or strong sprinters.

Image credit: Tour Down Under, Google Maps

Stage 5: McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill

The traditional GC decider features a new twist with an early descent of Willunga Hill before two final ascents. Starting in McLaren Vale, riders tackle Wickham Hill early before the decisive double ascent of the iconic Willunga Hill in the final 25 kilometers.

Image credit: Tour Down Under, Google Maps

Stage 6: Adelaide

The final stage celebrates the race's 25th anniversary with a fast and technical circuit race through central Adelaide. This sprinter-friendly stage features multiple laps of a city circuit, providing spectators with multiple viewing opportunities of the race's conclusion.

Image credit: Tour Down Under, Google Maps

Tour Down Under 2025 Favorites: GC Contenders and Stage Hunters

Top Contenders

The battle for the ochre jersey at the 2025 Tour Down Under features an exciting mix of established champions and rising stars. As the WorldTour season kicks off in Adelaide, five riders stand out as the main contenders for overall victory.

Defending Champion

Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech) returns to defend his crown with impressive momentum. Fresh off wins at the Tour of Britain and La Flèche Wallonne, Williams brings proven climbing ability and a strong team including George Bennett and Mike Woods. His knack for securing bonus seconds and mastery of punchy climbs makes him a top favorite for the 25th anniversary edition.

Main Challengers

Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) enters the race in stellar form after finishing second in the national championships time trial. The 2023 champion has fully recovered from last year's spinal injury and brings both climbing prowess and time-trialing expertise to the challenging Adelaide Hills terrain.

Local hero Luke Plapp (Team Jayco AlUla) leads Australia's only WorldTour squad with high expectations. Fresh from a silver medal at the national championships, Plapp's early-season form and familiarity with the roads make him a serious threat for overall victory.

Rising Stars

Oscar Onley (Team Picnic-PostNL) returns after winning last year's Willunga Hill stage and finishing second overall. At just 22, the Scottish climber aims to convert his impressive 2024 performances into a maiden WorldTour victory.

Dark Horses

Several emerging talents could shake up the race:

• Magnus Sheffield (Ineos Grenadiers): The versatile American excels on punchy finishes

• Finn Fisher-Black (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe): New Zealand's climbing sensation arrives after strong early-season preparation

• Pablo Torres (UAE Team Emirates): Spanish climbing prodigy making his WorldTour debut

The varied course profile, featuring the iconic Willunga Hill and the new Knotts Hill climb, ensures an exciting battle for the overall title across six demanding stages.

How to Watch the 2025 Santos Tour Down Under: Live Streams, TV Guide & Schedule

Global Broadcast Options

Free Coverage

• Australia: Watch live on 7Mate and 7HD, or stream free on 7plus with registration

• Spain: Catch all stages on RTVE's free platform

Premium Services

Daily Broadcast Times

Australian Viewers (ACDT)

• Stages 1-5: Coverage starts 11:10 AM

• Final Stage: Coverage starts 1:30 PM

• Expected stage finish: 4:30 PM daily

International Times

• UK: 12:40 AM GMT

• US East Coast: 7:40 PM ET

• US West Coast: 4:40 PM PT

Alternative Viewing Options

Digital Platforms

• Tour Down Under YouTube channel offers daily highlights

• Social media updates on official race channels

• Live tracking through race website

Replay Options

All major broadcasters provide on-demand replays within hours of stage completion. Perfect for viewers in challenging time zones.

The Tour Village in Adelaide's Victoria Square offers live big-screen viewing for local spectators, with coverage starting at 11:00 AM daily through January 26.

Conclusion

The 2025 Santos Tour Down Under promises six days of thrilling racing through South Australia's most beautiful roads. From the new Knotts Hill challenge to the iconic Willunga Hill double ascent: this 25th anniversary edition raises the bar for WorldTour racing. Race Director Stuart O'Grady has crafted a perfect blend of sprint stages and mountain tests, ensuring exciting battles for both stage wins and the coveted ochre jersey. With defending champion Stephen Williams facing fierce competition from local heroes Jay Vine and Luke Plapp, the race is set to deliver unforgettable moments. Whether you're watching from the Tour Village in Adelaide or streaming from across the globe, this historic edition of Australia's premier cycling event kicks off the 2025 season in spectacular style. Let's cycle to Mars together.