It's the second edition of the Women's Tour Down at WorldTour level, but somehow it feels like the race is stepping into a new realm again. It may still be just three stages long and still opens the year of international top-tier racing –just like before – but with more Women's WorldTour teams on the start list, a space of its own on the calendar and a weekend finale up an iconic summit finish that is set to delight both the riders who love to climb and fans.
In 2023 Grace Brown (FDJ-Suez) won the event after a tight battle with three-time winner Amanda Spratt (Lidl-Trek) but there is definitely a different twist to the friendly rivalry between former teammates heading into this year's event from Friday, January 12 to Sunday January 14.
When Spratt was asked at the race press conference if the summit finish on the last stage on Willunga Hill was the point where she could get back at Brown, there was no hesitation when she answered with a chuckle 'absolutely'.
