The opening WorldTour race of the 2019 season is likely to be an explosive affair as some of the best sprinters in the peloton line-up.
Peter Sagan, home star Caleb Ewan and Elia Viviani are amongst the stellar start-list at the Tour Down Under.
Australia’s biggest stage race always attracts a strong field, with teams keen to kick off their winning early.
Viviani, the rider who made it to the top step 18 times last season, will be supported by a strong Deceuninck – Quick-Step.
>>> Tour Down Under 2019 start list
His sports director, Rik Van Slycke, said: “Stage victories are the main goals with Elia first of all.
“It would be a good start to the year. He is very motivated as usual, but we need to see who else is there.
“There will be a few opportunities, but also changes in the course, including Willunga Hill on the last day now, which will impact on the dynamic of the race.”
Viviani heads into the 2019 Tour Down Under as a returning stage winner, after his victory on stage three last year.
Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) is also back for more early-season success, after winning stage four in 2018 and taking home the points jersey.
But home favourite Ewan (Lotto-Soudal) looks to be a serious threat in the sprint battle, with seven victories at the Tour Down Under in previous years.
>>> Tour Down Under live TV guide 2019
The 24-year-old has already opened his season strong with his new team, taking two wins at the Bay Criterium Series in Australia this week.
Ewan is also looking to take the Australian national champion's jersey on Sunday (January 6), where he will try to best his compatriots while being closely watched as the fastest sprinter in the race.
Fellow Australian Richie Porte also returns to the TDU, looking to continue his winning streak on the now famous Willunga Hill stage.
Porte lines up with Trek-Segafredo after his switch to the team from BMC this season.
Alex is the digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter and now as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output.
Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) and joining CW in 2018, Alex has covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.
Away from journalism, Alex is a national level time triallist, avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Porte and Dennis to ride Santos Festival of Cycling 2022Confirmed teams and riders taking part in the 2022 Santos Festival of Cycling (January 23-29)
-
'We want to be in tune with Peter Sagan to achieve great things together': Says TotalEnergies sports director on balancing Sagan and team identity
The French team are keen to keep their own characteristics while also allowing the Slovakian to do his thing
-
Peter Sagan says 'part of the beauty of cycling has been lost' following Covid-19 restrictions
The three-time world champion prepares to begin a new season with a new team
-
Peter Sagan confident ahead of TotalEnergies switch: 'We are going to build a team around me'
The Slovakian expressed his enthusiasm to race at the French-based, ProTeam level side
-
Nine of the most exciting pro cycling transfers for 2022
Some of the sports biggest names are on the move at the end of the year
-
The Tour Down Under will not be taking place in 2022
The race will be replaced once again by the 'Santos Festival of Cycling' as border closures and quarantine rules continue
-
Peter Sagan wants Niki Terpstra to continue at TotalEnergies rather than retire
The three-time world champion says he wants to talk to the two-time Monument winner if he wishes to continue riding
-
Peter Sagan will ride the European Championships in Trento
The three-time world champion has been training on both road and mountain bikes in the Pyrenees
