Same course, same day, same distance – Women's Tour Down Under to run alongside final three days of men's race in 2027

The 2027 Santos Women’s Tour Down Under will be held concurrently with the final three days of the men’s race, marking a significant shift in scheduling. The women’s event, part of the Women’s WorldTour, is set to take place from January 22 to 24, running on the same courses and covering identical distances as the men’s stages, which will start approximately 90 minutes earlier. This change responds to a request from the UCI to reduce the time women’s WorldTeams spend in Australia at the start of the season, aiming to streamline the racing calendar and ease logistical pressures on teams. Previously, the Women’s Tour Down Under ran ahead of the men’s event, resulting in extended stays for teams that had to wait for subsequent races such as the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. This arrangement became increasingly problematic in 2026 when participation in all but one Women’s WorldTour event became mandatory, forcing teams to commit to a lengthy early-season block in Australia. By aligning the women’s race with the men’s final stages, organisers hope to create a more efficient and exciting conclusion to the Tour Down Under, while also enhancing the visibility of women’s cycling. Race director Stuart O’Grady highlighted the opportunity to innovate by bringing men’s and women’s racing together, describing it as a chance to deliver a “bumper final weekend” of competition. Assistant race director Carlee Taylor emphasised the significance of this move for women’s cycling, noting that it reflects the sport’s growth and progression. She pointed out that the women’s peloton will now tackle longer stages, mirroring the men’s distances more closely than ever before, which is expected to elevate the race atmosphere and showcase the strength of the female riders. The decision also takes into account the early-season timing and potential high temperatures in South Australia, which have historically influenced course lengths. The 2026 women’s race was the longest to date at 394.6km over three stages, though still slightly shorter on average than the men’s stages. The UCI’s regulations set a maximum daily distance of 140km for Women’s WorldTour stage races, with individual stages capped at 160km, a limit only marginally exceeded by the men’s 2026 finale. Further details about the 2027 stages are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, as organisers finalise plans for this landmark event.