Tour Down Under 2020: Favourites
The Tour Down Under kicks the UCI WorldTour into gear. Contrary to most editions the race includes two steep finishes instead of one. Obviously this suits the punchers. Who are the major contenders to win the Tour Down Under?
[Underneath article was written before the start of the Tour Down Under and has not been updated.]
While many European pros are still training to get in form when the Tour Down Under appears on the calendar, Australians are deeply motivated and focused. For starters, it is their homerace, which is also played out back to back with the Australian championships. So it’s no surprise that most editions were won by Australians, although Daryl Impey tipped the balance a bit in the last two years. In fact, the South African is the only rider to defend his Tour Down Under title with wins in 2018 and 2019.
Given the reintroduction of the Paracombe climb on stage 3 we are likely to see a new kind of winner in 2020. Impey collected time bonuses in the hilly stages and limited his losses on the only summit finish – Willunga Hill -, a recipe for success that he borrowed from record holder Simon Gerrans. The retired Australian is a four time champion, winning the GC in 2006, 2012, 2014 and 2016.
The reintroduction of the Paracombe climb on the third day along with the Willunga Hill finish on the last day are primed for the climbers to showcase their talents. The first is a 1.2 kilometres toil at 9.9% and the second slopes at 7% for 3 kilometres.
Richie Porte is the king of Willunga Hill. He won the race in the last six editions, while the Paracombe finish was included twice. Rohan Dennis took the spoils in 2015 and Richie Porte in 2017. Interestingly, both went on to win the GC in those years.
As always, the heat could play a key role Down Under. Obviously, rising temperatures are advantageous to home riders, who have acclimatised better to the conditions than riders from more wintry climate zones.
Former winners at the start of the 2020 Tour Down Under are Luis León Sánchez (2005), André Greipel (2008, 2010), Cameron Meyer (2011), Rohan Dennis (2015), Richie Porte (2017) and title defender Daryl Impey (2018, 2019).
Favourites 2020 Tour Down Under
***** Richie Porte, Rohan Dennis, George Bennett
**** Simon Yates, Romain Bardet, Pavel Sivakov
*** Mads Pedersen, Daryl Impey, Cameron Meyer
** Robert Power, Diego Ulissi, Dylan van Baarle
* Luis León Sánchez, Nathan Haas, Jay McCarthy
Tour Down Under Route
Tour Down Under Riders
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Holmes wins on Willunga Hill, Porte takes overall - Tour Down Under 2020 Nizzolo wins final sprint, Impey new leader - Tour Down Under 2020 Second sprint victory Ewan, Porte still leader - Tour Down Under 2020 Porte climbs to leader's jersey in Paracombe - Tour Down Under 2020 Ewan outguns Impey in uphill sprint to move into race lead - Tour Down Under 2020 Bennett sprints to first ochre jersey - Tour Down Under 2020 Route stage 1: Tanunda – Tanunda - Tour Down Under 2020 Route stage 2: Woodside – Stirling - Tour Down Under 2020 Route stage 3: Unley – Paracombe - Tour Down Under 2020 Route stage 4: Norwood – Murray Bridge - Tour Down Under 2020 Route stage 5: Glenelg – Victor Harbor - Tour Down Under 2020 Route stage 6: McLaren Vale – Willunga Hill - Tour Down Under 2020 More articles Giro 2023: Cavendish wins in Rome, Roglic seals GC triumph
Giro 2023 Route stage 21: Rome - Rome
Giro d'Italia: Winners and records
Giro 2023: Withdrawals
Giro 2023: The Route
Giro 2023: Riders
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023: The Route
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023: Riders
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 1: Chambon-sur-Lac - Chambon-sur-Lac
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 2: Brassac-les-Mines - La Chaise-Dieu
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 3: Monistrol-sur-Loire - La Coteau
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 4: Cours - Belmont-de-la-Loire
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 5: Cormoranche-sur-Saône – Salins-les-Bains
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 6: Nantua - Crest-Voland
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 7: Porte-de-Savoie - Col de la Croix de Fer
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 8: Le Pont-de-Claix - La Bastille, Grenoble
Tour de Suisse 2023: The Route
Tour de Suisse 2023: Riders
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 1: Einsiedeln - Einsiedeln
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 2: Beromünster - Nottwil
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 3: Tafers - Villars-sur-Ollon
Cycling Calendar 2023
Tour de France 2023: The Route
Tour de France 2023: Riders
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 1: Bilbao - Bilbao
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 2: Vitoria-Gasteiz - San Sebastián
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 3: Amorebieta-Etxano - Bayonne
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 4: Dax - Nogaro
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 5: Pau - Laruns
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 6: Tarbes - Cauterets
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!