Adelaide Hills to Shine with Three Spectacular Stages in Santos Tour Down Under 2026

The South Australian Tourism Commission and Adelaide Hills Council have confirmed the Hills will host three stage starts and finishes of the Santos Tour Down Under in 2026.

The iconic event will return in force to the Adelaide Hills during January 2026 with a finish of the UCI Women’s WorldTour race in Paracombe, a finish of the UCI Men’s WorldTour race in Uraidla, and a Men’s start and finish on the final day of racing in Stirling.

The race will also pass through the region on Monday 19 January 2026.

Adelaide Hills Council Acting Mayor Nathan Daniell says, Council fully explored the benefits TDU brings to the region to reinforce their decision making around the event.

“The Adelaide Hills provides some of the most challenging and picturesque locations for the world’s best cyclists to battle it out in the first UCI World Tour event for 2026.

“We’re grateful our Council will host three stages of the 2026 Santos TDU which will deliver significant economic and social benefits to our region.

“We’re particularly excited that the final day of racing which may decide the winner of the Men’s tour will be right here in the Adelaide Hills with a start and finish in Stirling.

“Uraidla will once again put on a spectacle as they welcome TDU enthusiasts for the Health Partners Stage 2 finish of the Men’s tour, while Paracombe is also excited at the prospect of hosting the Health Partners Stage 2 finish of the Women’s tour in what is a beautiful part of the hills.

“Following recent consultation with our community we are pleased that businesses, community groups, and individuals all value our continued commitment to the TDU. We are currently working with key stakeholders on the prospects of a multi-year agreement supporting the event.”

SATC and Council are working together to finalise two TDU live sites for community activation and viewing as an additional offering to spectators and a fundraising opportunity for local community groups and artists.

Sunday 18 January 2026 - Health Partners Women’s Stage 2 finish in Paracombe

“This is a fantastic stage focused on showcasing all the Adelaide Hills has to offer," said Race Director Stuart O'Grady.

“It’s a tough stage and one for the all-rounders, starting before the Tower Hotel on Magill Road and going up Norton Summit then Ashton for the first KOM.

“The descent goes through Balhannah and Lobethal, taking in as many of the hills communities as we can to bring some colour and excitement of the race to the townships.

“We come back through Kersbrook where the peloton can catch its breath before racing through Chain of Ponds and into several laps of the Paracombe circuit where there is a lot of cycling history having hosted state and national championships."

Thursday 22 January 2026 - Health Partners Men’s Stage 2 finish in Uraidla

O'Grady explains that this stage on paper this is potentially the hardest stage we’ve had in Santos Tour Down Under history.

“We’ve had the prologue and a stage for the sprinters, and now the third day of racing will be a real ‘GC shaker,’ he said.

“Starting in Norwood which always attracts really strong crowds, the peloton will go up Norton Summit to the first KOM at the top of Ashton.

“They then head towards Mount Lofty, racing past Cleland and descending into Crafers and through Uraidla for the first time.

“After Lenswood and Lobethal is when the fun starts where just like the women’s race, the men will do two ascensions of the Corkscrew which is a fan favourite.

“The peloton has traditionally gone up Corkscrew and turned right into Campbelltown, but this time they’ll turn left at the top and the climb continues up Montacute Road, then back down through Uraidla for one more final lap.

“It will be really challenging. The Corkscrew is steeper and more brutal than Willunga Hill, and with the continuation of climbing afterwards, there is the opportunity for more aggressive racing.

“The finish in the main street of Uraidla is a real highlight of the TDU. You’d struggle to find as a big a crowds and atmosphere as we get in Uraidla and it always throws up a fantastic winner.”

Sunday 25 January 2026 - efex Men’s Stage 5 start and finish in Stirling

“This is going to be the best final stage we’ve ever had," O'Grady says.

“In previous editions of the race, the script has typically been decided by Willunga Hill but a Stirling circuit on the final day is a whole new ball game.

“It’s almost like a world championship or national championship style circuit where there will be so many opportunities to attack.

“Even if you’re within a minute of the lead, if the racing is hard and smart enough, you have the potential to destroy the ochre jersey because it’s going to be very hard for a team to control the peloton for eight laps around Stirling.

“We’ve never had that much unknown coming into a final day and the riders appreciate us changing things up and racing on different courses.

“There will be so many opportunities for spectators to see an awesome bike race with people scattered the whole way around the course.

“Stirling provides a perfect viewing platform with great food and drink options and lots of shade so it should be a cracking day.”