Tour Down Under organisers have announced men’s and women’s stages will be raced over the same course on the same day and over the same distance from 2027.
In the most significant development to the race program in the event’s 26-year history, the TDU will be the first WorldTour stage race to run the same-day format.
The 2027 UCI WorldTour season will open with a six-stage men’s race from January 19-24. This will coincide with the opening of the UCI Women’s WorldTour season - a three-stage race which will be held from Friday to Sunday for a bumper final weekend of racing.
The women’s peloton will start approximately 90 minutes after the men roll out, covering the same distance and route, and using the same start and finish locations.
TDU management say the UCI requested the change after feedback from the women’s teams - the new schedule allowing teams to condense their time in Australia for two WorldTour races – the Santos Tour Down Under and Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
Organisers say they expect both men’s and women’s races to be broadcast live.