Down Under: domain of power sprinters, Tom-Jelte Slagter, and the King of Willunga Hill

Today, the Tour Down Under is recognized as a versatile race, featuring both flat stages and challenging stages where strong climbers often shape the overall classification. However, in its early years, it was predominantly the sprinters in the peloton who secured victory in the overall rankings. Even more recently, speedsters like Daryl Impey clinched the overall classification, often accumulating bonus seconds in sprint stages and tenaciously holding onto them in hilly stages. In the early editions of the Tour Down Under, André Greipel notably established himself as the undisputed leader of the first stage race of the year. André Greipel? Yes, indeed!

The immensely powerful German notched an impressive four stage victories in 2008 and claimed the leader's jersey on the penultimate day. In 2010, Greipel once again secured three triumphs and emerged as the overall classification winner. It must be acknowledged that during these years, challenges like Willunga Hill and Mount Lofty had yet to make their way onto the stage schedule, transforming the Tour Down Under into more of a sprinters' showcase. Between 2006 and 2016, another powerhouse sprinter, Simon Gerrans, clinched victory in the race four times on home soil. Consequently, Gerrans proudly holds the record for the most overall wins. The classics specialist, who also triumphed in Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Milan-Sanremo, showcased that the Tour Down Under posed a formidable challenge for true climbers but presented a favorable opportunity for sprinters with strong climbing abilities.

What do Koos Moerenhout, Tom-Jelte Slagter, and Wouter Wippert have in common? These three individuals stand as the sole Dutch cyclists to have claimed stage victories in Australia. Moerenhout achieved this feat in 2000, and Wippert followed suit in 2015. Notably, Slagter remains the lone Dutchman to have his name etched on the Tour Down Under trophy. During a tumultuous period marked by Rabobank terminating its sponsorship of the largest Dutch cycling team due to doping confessions, the Groningen native delivered a monumental surprise. Slagter showcased his prowess early on in the race, positioning himself at the front in the initial stages and ultimately making a decisive move in the third stage.

In the stage to Stirling, where the road ascends sharply towards the end, Slagter accelerates three hundred meters before the finish. He maintains a slim lead over prominent names such as world champion Philippe Gilbert, Matthew Goss, and eventual Tour winner Geraint Thomas. The rider from Groningen, representing Team Blanco, stealthily maneuvers towards the podium and accomplishes what seemed impossible just two days earlier. In the climax of the Willunga Hill climb, he is initially nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, Slagter emerges and launches a devastating attack. Only Gerrans manages to keep up with him. Although Gerrans wins the sprint, the gap to leader Thomas is substantial enough for the then 23-year-old Dutch cyclist to secure the general classification. Now, eleven years later, this victory remains a remarkably rare instance of a Dutch cyclist claiming the overall victory in a multi-day WorldTour race.

In 2024, Willunga Hill makes its return to the Tour Down Under after a four-year hiatus. This nearly four-kilometer ascent made its mark in the Australian race early last decade, and it is undeniably synonymous with one name: Richie Porte. Porte retired from professional cycling in 2022, concluding a career filled with highs and lows. Notably, he clinched victories in prestigious races such as Paris-Nice, the Tour of Catalonia, the Tour of Romandie, and Paris-Nice. His podium finish at the Tour de France in 2020, standing in the shadows of Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic, added another feather to his cap. However, Porte consistently shone in one particular place: Willunga Hill.

The delicate Australian first conquered Willunga Hill in 2014, initiating an impressive streak that earned him the title of the uncrowned king of the hill. From 2015 to 2019, Porte triumphed consecutively on Willunga Hill, securing six stage victories that, surprisingly, translated into only one overall victory. Despite his dominance on this climb, repeated defeats by riders like Impey and Gerrans in the general classification underscored the challenges pure climbers faced in winning Down Under. No matter how robust Porte began the season, when the pinnacle, the Tour de France, arrived, he often proved too fragile for the absolute top. Unfortunate incidents and falls prevented Porte from achieving more podium finishes in grand tours than the one in 2020. The moniker "King of Willunga Hill" will likely forever be associated with him.

Starting from Tuesday, excitement will ensue. It will unveil which sprinters break free from the zero, which all-rounders secure impressive stage wins, and, most importantly, who will succeed Jay Vine as the overall winner. Let the excitement of Down Under begin!