The 2020 Santos Tour Down Under is hot on the horizon now, with two weeks until go-time!
The official startlist is yet to be revealed, however word on the street says that it’ll be yet another start-studded field lining up to set the 2020 World Tour season off with a bang.
Here are a few big names to look out for, that’ll no doubt be bringing some fine form to Adelaide.
Two-time reigning champion, Daryl Impey will be returning in full swing in a bid to claim his third consecutive overall title. The South African National champion had an impeccable 2019 season, claiming a number of outstanding victories, including a Tour de France stage. He has fought vivaciously from start to finish in past editions, with the help of his Mitchelton-Scott team, winning both titles by the narrowest of margins, much to his competitors’ dismay.
We have no doubt Daryl will be right in the mix for a third title, however it will be a tough challenge at hand with key contenders undoubtedly marking his every move.
The King of Willunga Hill, Richie Porte will return once again to not only make his mark on the testing slopes of Willunga once more, but to steal back the overall lead. Having won the title in 2017, followed by two close second’s, he’ll be raring to reposition himself on the top step with the support of his Trek-Segafredo team.
Climbing sensation, Simon Yates will be lining up for his debut Santos Tour Down Under. A very exciting addition to the Mitchelton-SCOTT team, significantly bolstering the squad’s strength, especially when it comes to the road rising up and going on the attack. Having not raced since the Tour de France, we’re confident he’ll be more than ready to put the hammer down Down Under!
French climber, Romain Bardet will no doubt be primed and ready to hit the Adelaide hills, with climbing stages 3 (Paracombe) and 6 up Willunga hill on his sights. The 3 x Tour de France stage winner will be another first timer in Adelaide, leading AG2R La Mondiale. The team, however no stranger to the race, as the only ones to have competed in every Santos Tour Down Under since its inception.
Italian fast man, Elia Viviani is undeniably one of the quickest riders on the World Tour. His incredible turn of speed has seen him claim a large handful of stage victories across all three Grand Tours, and has had great success in past Santos Tour Down Under edition’s. As reigning European Road Race champion, he’ll be flying onto the streets of Adelaide in style wearing the special blue stripes and yellow stars, representing his new team Cofidis.
Cycling legend, Andre Greipel will be returning to the Santos Tour Down Under with a credible 18 x stage wins and 2 x General Classification victories already to his name. This time round, he’ll be lining up alongside the latest addition to the World Tour, Israel Start-Up Nation and will undoubtedly be on the hunt for another victory or two to increase his incredible stage record.
New Zealander, Paddy Bevin was the man to watch at last year’s Santos Tour Down Under, until his dreams of winning the overall title were heartbreakingly diminished when he suffered an untimely crash on the penultimate Stage 5, injuring himself enough to lose the lead he’d worked so hard to establish.
The tough kiwi, will be returning repping the orange colours of his CCC team, back with a vengeance in a bid to claim what was close to being his in 2019.
The current road World Champion, Mads Pedersen of Denmark, will be proudly taking to the start wearing the rainbow stripes in support of his Trek-Segafredo team mate, Richie Porte. The race will present a fantastic opportunity to showcase his fresh jersey and start the 2020 season on a high as World Champ.
A question mark still hovers next to Australian sprinter, Caleb Ewan as his name has yet to be confirmed by his team Lotto-Soudal or Santos Tour Down Under organisers. We are very hopeful he’ll be lining up, once again bringing his exceptionally quick sprint with him. He’s no stranger to success at the race, and if it’s anything to go by his stellar 2019, where he claimed a jaw-dropping 3 Tour de France stages and a Giro d’Italia victory to top - he’ll surely be storming into 2020.
Another unknown, is World Time Trial champion, Rohan Dennis. Following a mostly rocky 2019 with team issues, he was able to put troubles behind him in time to close his season out on an all-time high winning the World title, for the second consecutive year.
He now begins a fresh season with Team Ineos and as a local Adelaide rider, we’re confident he’ll be taking to the start in a few weeks time to show off his new look.
For now, stay tuned for more rider updates and get excited for what is sure to be another fast and fun-filled Santos Tour Down Under! Find out what we'll be up to on our 8 and 4 day experiences, here.