"The first two stages should be pretty straight forward and should be settled in bunch sprints," Mitchelton-Scott's head sports director, Matt White, tells Cyclingnews. "That said, the weather will always influence the day at a race like the Tour Down Under. It's basically hot or really hot, but the strength of the wind will determine how stressful a day it will turn out to be.
"Stage 1 is very flat but has many kilometres of open and exposed roads, and that's where the heat and the wind will factor in. We have started in Port Adelaide many a time but never finished there so the run-in and circuits will be new for all. There are several small climbs and descents in the first half of the race, but the break should be quick to go, and expect a rider from the national team from UniSA to be in there for sure."
-
'We're no longer thinking about a quick return' - Eli Iserbyt faces setbacks after femoral artery complications
Belgian faces relapse after four surgeries, seeks a second opinion from specialist -
Best commuter bikes: Flat bar, folding and electric options
The best commuter bikes however you prefer to ride to work -
Black Friday Bike Deals 2025: Cycling savings in the run-up to Black Friday
Amazon's biggest sale of the year isn't here yet, but the deals have already started -
Northampton Cyclocross: Lizzy Gunsalus and Henry Coote ride solo on Sunday for elite C2 wins at Massachusetts home race
18-year-old Tofik Beshir earns fifth consecutive podium of the season with second place in elite men's race
