Tour Down Under 2025

[AUbicycles]

First big race of the season... who is going down... and what are your predictions?

This year I won't be at the tour. Always a really busy time (behind the lens) and I am always exhausted after, but love the food, locations and company.

[foo on patrol]

Not going but some friends are, I don't know the list of riders in it.

Foo

[MichaelB]

I’ll be doing the Epic ride (1st time in a while) as it’s the start of a series of precursors to a mate and I’s plans to do a final hurrah trip OS cycling.

If we can do this, then it’s a week at Bright/Mt Beauty later in the year before booking tickets for 2026/7

Have seen a few Jayco jerseys around in the hills, but little else so far

[elantra]

Riders who will be in Adelaide include a few European and Canadian National Champions, and also some quite legendary names (Geraint Thomas and Michal Kwiatkowski), and last year’s winner (Stephen Williams)
Local riders will include Luke Plapp, Jay Vine and Sam Welsford.
Source and more details of participants in the Men’s and Women’s events :

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO2412/ ... ay%20Vine.

[MichaelB]

Spotted a couple of Ineos riders whilstr we were climbing Mt Lofty yesterday - could tell they were pros as kit was new & full set, bikes matched and they were skinny AF.

[elantra]

Spotted a couple of Ineos riders whilstr we were climbing Mt Lofty yesterday - could tell they were pros as kit was new & full set, bikes matched and they were skinny AF.

Yes I guess that they need to get acclimatised to Adelaide weather and riding on the correct side of the road

[foo on patrol]

Jay Vine had been training in my area up till Saturday I think it was.

Foo

[MichaelB]

Preliminary startlists are here :

9th Santos Women's Tour Down Under (2.WWT) : https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/sa ... /startlist

Only 3 stages ?

25th Tour Down Under (2.UWT) : https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/to ... /startlist

Jayco Alula team list :
11 PLAPP Luke
12 DURBRIDGE Luke
13 HARPER Chris
14 HEPBURN Michael
15 O'BRIEN Kelland
16 SCHMID Mauro
17 STEWART Campbell

Like their jerseys this year !

[Stovepipe]

What do they need to do to attract top international talent? 25yrs in already

[g-boaf]

What do they need to do to attract top international talent? 25yrs in already

Drag the Australian continent closer to Europe?

[warthog1]

From mid Winter in Europe to mid Summer in Aust. I see that as a reason plenty of Northern Hemisphere riders don't attend.

[timbo]

As has been noted on a couple of cycling websites, No Caleb Ewan at the Tour Down Under, or for that matter, not listed on Jayco AlUla's website at all. A transfer looming, perhaps?

[foo on patrol]

As has been noted on a couple of cycling websites, No Caleb Ewan at the Tour Down Under, or for that matter, not listed on Jayco AlUla's website at all. A transfer looming, perhaps?

I was a huge supporter of Ewan but after watching him for the last 18mths, he hasn't got the head space right anymore and should give the Pro ranks away and just ride Club/Local based rides. A shame because he still has a few years left in him for riding at Pro level but if the head space isn't right, then he shouldn't be stuffing Teams around, let those younger up and coming riders that have the instinct do it.

Foo

[MichaelB]

As has been noted on a couple of cycling websites, No Caleb Ewan at the Tour Down Under, or for that matter, not listed on Jayco AlUla's website at all. A transfer looming, perhaps?

A partial snip from Escape Collective

Jayco AlUla general manager Brent Copeland declined the opportunity to comment when contacted by Escape, but something certainly seems amiss between Ewan and his team. It is the second time in three years Ewan and an employer have been at loggerheads.

Sources closely connected in Australian pro cycling told Escape Collective that the current issue arose last year, when Astana Qazaqstan approached Jayco AlUla about buying out Ewan’s contract for 2025 and slotting the sprinter in to replace the retiring Mark Cavendish.

The deal ultimately collapsed, but not before Jayco was close to signing a replacement; with the transfer off and the maximum number of riders under contract for 2025, Jayco couldn’t sign another rider unless a spot opened up.

Multiple sources have suggested to Escape the possibility of legal proceedings between Ewan and Jayco AlUla. The team is expected to make an official statement about Ewan’s position in the near future.

hmmmmmmm

[warthog1]

Thanks Michael. He aint happy there, it would appear he wants out. Prob explains poor results but don't know how that goes for his level of professionalism.