Women's Tour Down Under stage 2 LIVE: Punchy course favours opportunists
2026-01-18T00:44:09.135Z
The first challenge comes early with the first of five QOMs today, a cat 2 climb, coming just 10 kilometres after the flag drops as the riders make their way up Norton Summit Road with an average gradient of 4% and max of 12.5%. A perfect launching point for attacks.
2026-01-18T00:43:03.422Z
Go time!
Flag drop by race director Stuart O’Grady and we're out of the neutral zone and racing has started.
2026-01-18T00:42:37.196Z
Georgia Baker was covered in mud with a heavily bandaged knee and limping as she got off the bike after crossing the line yesterday. Liv AlUla Jayco announced before today’ stage that she would not take the start to focus on her recovery. The Australian Women’s WorldTour team is down to 4 riders, after Amber Pate did not start due to a training ride crash.
2026-01-18T00:42:00.574Z
The heavy crash in the closing kilometres yesterday had an impact. Rebecca Koerner (Uno-X Mobility) crossed the finish line outside the time limit. Katia Ragusa did not finish the stage, and Human Powered Health shared this update via social media
Update: Initial examinations showed Katia did not sustain any broken bones as a result of crashing on stage 1 of @tourdownunderKatia stayed in hospital overnight but is in good spirits and will have further checks today.Join us in sharing your well wishes for her recovery ❤️🩹… pic.twitter.com/5WX3SozDSJJanuary 17, 2026 (https://twitter.com/cantworkitout/status/2012641247698047427)
2026-01-18T00:40:45.944Z
The peloton, down to 84 riders, is rolling through a very short 0.9 neutral section on its way to the official start.
2026-01-18T00:36:14.064Z
Stage 2 of the Women's Tour Down Under is set to start in just under 5 minutes. Starting in a new host city of Magill, the 130.7km stage2 has very little flat terrain. The course rolls up and down the whole way, ending in the Adelaide Hills for three kickers near the end of the stage in Paracombe.
Here’s what race director Stuart O’Grady said about stage 2: “This is a fantastic stage focused on showcasing all the Adelaide Hills has to offer. It features an aggressive Paracombe circuit which has a rich history in South Australian cycling, and the finish is a difficult uphill run, so there will be lots of opportunities for attacks and entertaining racing.”
2026-01-18T00:34:44.298Z
It's going to be a hot one!
2026-01-18T00:28:21.579Z
Stage 1 winner Ally Wollaston (FDJ United-Suez) tops the general classification with a slim 4-second lead on Josie Nelson (Picnic-PostNL) and 5 seconds on Olivia Baril (Movistar). Last year’s overall winner Noemi Rüegg (EF Education-Oatly) sits fourth overall, a further one second down. There are 52 riders down 10 seconds or less on GC.
Read what Wollaston had to say about her stage 1 victory - ‘As a sprinter, it's kind of out of your hands’ - Women’s Tour Down Under stage 1 winner Ally Wollaston avoids being trumped by solo break this time. (https://www.cyclingnews.com/pro-cycling/womens-cycling/as-a-sprinter-its-kind-of-out-of-your-hands-womens-tour-down-under-stage-1-winner-ally-wollaston-avoids-being-trumped-by-solo-break-this-time/)
2026-01-14T19:49:34.195Z
Welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of stage 2 of the Women's Tour Down Under.
