Silke Smulders is making her competitive return at the Santos Tour Down Under. The 24-year-old from North Brabant will target the overall victory again in 2026, after having only been beaten by Swiss rider Noemi Rüegg in 2025.
Her team, Liv AlUla Jayco, was quick to announce the race lineup for the very first race of the season. The Tour Down Under starts in 29 days, on January 17. This year’s race kicks off with a stage to and from Willunga Hill. The final stage will take the riders over Corkscrew Road (2.5 kilometers at 8.3 percent gradient).
"For me, the Tour Down Under this year felt like a breakthrough," Smulders said in the team’s press release. "Being so close to the overall win gave me a huge confidence boost. I also remember how special it was that the girls gave everything to support me."
"This motivates me enormously to perform well again next year. On the other hand, this year felt a bit like a surprise and now I feel more pressure to do well again for the team, because it’s our home race. But we have such a strong team with many options and I’m convinced we’ll feel that special vibe again to give it our all together, because it is our race. That will give us that little extra edge."
Smulders will be joined at the Tour Down Under by Ruby Roseman-Gannon and Ella Wylie for the opening race of the Women’s WorldTour. World champion Magdaleine Vallieres has already confirmed she will be part of the race in Australia, alongside reigning champion Rüegg.
