Tour Down Under 2026: Watson claims first leader’s jersey with prologue victory

fotobureau Cor VosSamuel Watson blazes through the streets of Adelaide to claim the first leader’s jersey at the Tour Down Under. Ethan Vernon and Laurence Pithie finish second and third, while former winner Jay Vine takes fourth place, laying a solid foundation for another bid at overall victory. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results prologue 2026 Tour Down Under

1. Samuel Watson (gbr) 4:16.90
2. Ethan Vernon (gbr) + 0:01
3. Laurence Pithie (fra) + 0:03
4. Jay Vine (aus) + 0:04
5. Pierre Gautherat (fra) + 0:05
6. Mauro Schmid (swi) s.t.
7. Maikel Zijlaard (nld) s.t.
8. Tim Torn Teutenberg (ger) s.t.
9. Oliver Bleddyn (aus) s.t.
10. Jensen Plowright (aus) + 0:07

GC after prologue
1. Samuel Watson (gbr) 4:16.90
2. Ethan Vernon (gbr) + 0:01
3. Laurence Pithie (fra) + 0:03
4. Jay Vine (aus) + 0:04
5. Pierre Gautherat (fra) + 0:05
6. Mauro Schmid (swi) s.t.
7. Maikel Zijlaard (nld) s.t.
8. Tim Torn Teutenberg (ger) s.t.
9. Oliver Bleddyn (aus) s.t.
10. Jensen Plowright (aus) + 0:07

12. Finn Fisher-Black (aus) s.t.
15. Luke Plapp (aus) s.t.
23. Jhonatan Narváez (col) + 0:08
29. Matthew Brennan (gbr) + 0:09
42. Andreas Kron (den) + 0:11
54. Javier Romo (spa) + 0:14
68. Santiago Buitrago (col) + 0:16

Tour Down Under 2026 prologue: route, profile, more

route

profile

interactive map

• Samuel Watson