The women's Tour Down Under will boast a significant milestone next month when Magdeleine Vallieres becomes the first reigning world road champion to compete at the event.
While the men's Tour has a rich history of reigning world champions on its start list, securing Vallieres is another important sign of progress for the women's race.
Vallieres' EF Education-Oatly team also confirmed that Swiss rider Noemi Ruegg will return to Adelaide and defend her Tour Down Under title.