Ripped-up scripts, menacing kangaroos and performances as hot as the temperatures – Seven things to take away from the Tour Down Under

Split image of Noemi Ruegg and Jay Vine on the podium as winners of the Tour Down Under.

This year, the Santos Women’s and Men’s Tour Down Under delivered nine days of charged racing – plus a bonus 1.Pro one-day event for the women – with fierce competition for podium places and a depth of field that seems to keep growing in every edition.

All 14 Women’s WorldTeams were on the start line for the first time in the Women's Tour Down Under, along with the 18 men's WorldTour teams and Tudor Pro Cycling for the men's event, and an Australian national squad in each race.