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Tim Bonville-Ginn

Tour Down Under: Samuel Watson edges out Ethan Vernon for prologue victory

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 20: Samuel Watson of Great Britain and Team INEOS Grenadiers competes during the 26th Santos Tour Down Under 2026 - Prologue a 3.6km individual time trial stage from Adelaide to Adelaide / #UCIWT / on January 20, 2026 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Con Chronis/Getty Images).

On a lovely sunny evening in Adelaide, a stellar performance by British rider Samuel Watson (Ineos Grenadiers) saw him take the prologue win at the Tour Down Under with a time of 4:17 on the 3.6km circuit.

The stage was dominated by British riders with Watson and Ethan Vernon (NSN Cycling Team) right up at the top of the standings for much of the day. The pair were among the early riders off the ramp in the business district in Adelaide en route to the finish in Victoria Park.

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