The first stage of the Santos Tour Down Under for women resulted in a victory for Ally Wollaston. The 25-year-old sprinter from FDJ United-SUEZ was by far the fastest on Lower Willunga Hill, where the finish took place instead of at the top of the hill. Josie Nelson from Picnic PostNL finished second, and Femke Gerritse took third representing Visma | Lease a Bike. Lone breakaway rider Alessia Vigilia was caught just before the finish.
The Santos Women’s Tour Down Under again features three stages in 2026, but the decisive moment won’t necessarily come on Willunga Hill this year. The traditional stage finishing at the top of Willunga Hill actually took place today, but the finish was set not at the summit but on Lower Willunga Hill—a shorter and less steep variant of about 500 meters at an average gradient of 4.2%.
Willunga) WillungaA bunch sprint for puncheurs was expected, but Alessia Vigilia (Uno-X Mobility) chose not to follow that plan. She launched a solo attack and gained a maximum lead of three and a half minutes over the peloton. Along the way, she took the King of the Mountains jersey and put pressure on the peloton. FDJ United-SUEZ kept chasing behind her the entire time, after which AG Insurance-Soudal, Picnic PostNL, and SD Worx-Protime also started cooperating.
With 20 kilometers remaining, Vigilia’s lead was still one and a half minutes, but she lost significant ground in the final kilometers. The peloton came roaring back; a crash involving Neve Bradbury and others occurred, and the Italian was caught within the last kilometer. Just as she was reeled in, Ally Wollaston launched a powerful and long sprint that left everyone behind.
The first stage of the year in the Women’s WorldTour was thus claimed by Wollaston, of FDJ United-SUEZ. Behind her, Femke Gerritse looked set for second place, but she was overtaken right on the line by Josie Nelson. Further down in the top 10, Fien Van Eynde was the best-placed Belgian.
photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
Santos Tour Down Under| Rank | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 03:28:31 | |
| 2 | " | |
| 3 | " | |
| 4 | " | |
| 5 | " | |
| 6 | " | |
| 7 | " | |
| 8 | " | |
| 9 | " | |
| 10 | " |
Santos Tour Down Under| Rank | Rider | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | 03:28:21 | |
| 2 | - | + 04 | |
| 3 | - | + 05 | |
| 4 | - | + 06 | |
| 5 | - | + 08 | |
| 6 | - | + 09 | |
| 7 | - | " | |
| 8 | - | + 10 | |
| 9 | - | " | |
| 10 | - | " |
