CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto is excited to once again kick off a new season of racing in the land down under, bringing a capable and versatile lineup to take on the always-thrilling Australian summer calendar.

Neve Bradbury and Tiffany Cromwell will be joined on home soil by Chloé Dygert, Maike van der Duin, Alice Towers and new signing, Maria Martins, who makes her race debut with CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto.

The team’s first target is the WorldTour-classified Tour Down Under, which kicks off this Friday, January 17th, and spans three packed days of action. With stages ranging from 100 to 115 km, the 2025 edition is slightly longer and more demanding than last year, featuring several course tweaks to make the race even more dynamic, challenging and unpredictable.

Chloé Dygert is delighted to return to the Tour Down Under for the second time in her career, after her first visit to Adelaide in 2017.

“Coming to the Tour Down Under was actually something I wanted to do last year. I was hoping to have it as part of my season build-up, but I had an injury. So, being able to race here this year is great, and I’m really happy to be back. It’s going to be excellent training and preparation for the season ahead.”

On her form, Chloé adds, “You never know how fit you actually are. I tend to second-guess myself sometimes, but I have a great coach and a great support system. Whenever I’m brought to a race, I always give 100% and perform well, so I’m not worried.”

Neve comes into this year’s edition with very fond memories of her performance in 2024, where she climbed to second on the final stage up Willunga Hill, a famed climb in Tour Down Under folklore, and third overall. While she remains uncertain about her prospects this time around, she’s coy about her goals for the race.

“I feel like this year I’m in quite the opposite situation to last year. Now I have everyone looking at me, and maybe not the form, because my goals for this year are a little bit different to last year. I feel like I’m not quite as in form as I was last year, but I should be good enough.”

When asked about her objectives, Neve is pragmatic.

“I think if we can just have fun, use it as training, and get a good vibe going with the team, that would be great. We’ll see how it goes. If it’s the same as last year – if I can do well, then it’s a bonus.”

Turning to the course, it’s only fitting that we ask Adelaide Hills native Tiffany Cromwell for her expert opinion on the South Australian roads that lie ahead.

On stage one, she says “I think people will underestimate the stage, but it also depends how it’s raced. If it’s raced conservatively, then it can be a sprint. if it’s not raced conservatively, it could also easily be already some time in the GC.”

Stage two sees the return of Willunga Hill, which the women’s race will now tackle twice, just like the men. While the climb itself may seem unassuming on paper, 3km at 7.4%, it has long been a deciding factor in the race for the overall classification.

Tiffany points out, “We have to remember it’s January. Sometimes people race more conservatively because we’re not in full race form. But it will still be a key day for the GC. The difference will be made on Willunga; it’s just a question of whether riders take advantage of the first lap or the second lap to make the bigger difference.”

The final stage introduces a twist to a familiar classic. Instead of completing laps at the end of the stage, the entire 105.9 km course will be held on the 20.8 km Stirling loop – a change that Tiffany welcomes.

“It’s awesome that it’s finishing with laps. It’s a demanding circuit, but one of those annoying ones where you think it’s going to be super selective, and yet a big bunch might last longer than expected. It’ll probably start with a big group, and gradually get more reduced.”

Chloé has highlighted stage 3 as an enticing option for herself, with a desire to return home with some strong results from Australia.

“We did the recon today, and it really got me excited. I really like the terrain. It’s going to be a good race, and it’s going to be hard. So I really like that.”

As racing draws ever closer in Australia, the rest of the team is at a training camp in Spain, fine-tuning their preparations for the European season, which begins with the trio of Mallorcan UCI 1.1 races starting on January 25th.

HOW TO FOLLOW

The Tour Down Under will be broadcast on 7Plus, Eurosport, NBC Sports and FloBikes, with daily coverage available from 11:00 ACDT (01:30 CEST or 16:30 PST). You can also follow the race on X using #TourDownUnder, as well as through the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto social channels.

Stage 1 | 101.9km | Friday 17 January | Brighton – Aldinga | Start 11:10 ACDT.

Stage 2 | 115km | Saturday 18 January | Unley – Willunga Hill | Start 11:10 ACDT.

Stage 3 | 105.9km | Sunday 19 January | Stirling – Stirling | Start 11:10 ACDT.

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