The Santos Tour Down Under has announced a major adjustment to the men’s Stage 4 due to extreme conditions forecast in the region. The Old Willunga Hill will not be climbed due to extreme heat and fire risk, changing the outlook of the race dramatically.Among the key changes, the stage will start earlier. The peloton will roll out from Brighton at 10:10, one hour ahead of the original schedule. The route has also been reworked. Willunga Hill, one of the race’s signature climbs, has been removed. Instead, the stage will finish on High Street in the town of Willunga. With these changes, the total distance is reduced to 131 kilometres.
Organisers have asked fans not to ride up Willunga Hill on the day, to take heat precautions, seek shade, and stay well hydrated. They also stress the importance of following emergency services’ instructions throughout the day.
Jhonatan Narváez won on Willunga Hill in 2025
GC tilting towards UAERemoving Willunga Hill pushes the general classification further towards UAE Team Emirates -XRG after the Jay Vine and Jhonatan Narváez, who dominated the stage into Uraidla. Last year the Ecuadorian built his overall win on Old Willunga Hill.
In the fight for the final podium spot, Mauro Schmid now carries a small buffer over Harry Sweeny, Marco Brenner, Andreas Kron, Adam Yates, and Ben O’Connor.
PositionRiderTeamTime / Gap 1 Vine Jay UAE Team Emirates-XRG 09:50:16 2 Narvaez Jhonatan UAE Team Emirates-XRG + 00:06 3 Schmid Mauro Team Jayco-AlUla + 01:05 4 Sweeny Harry EF Education-EasyPost + 01:12 5 Brenner Marco Tudor Pro Cycling Team + 01:14 6 Kron Andreas Uno-X Mobility + 01:16 7 Leonard Michael EF Education-EasyPost + 01:22 8 Raccagni Noviero Andrea Soudal Quick-Step + 01:22 9 Yates Adam UAE Team Emirates-XRG + 01:23 10 Charmig Anthon Uno-X Mobility + 01:23 11 Zana Filippo Soudal Quick-Step + 01:23 12 Sobrero Matteo Lidl-Trek + 01:27 13 O’Connor Ben Team Jayco-AlUla + 01:28 14 Romo Javier Movistar Team + 01:28 15 Tesfazion Natnael Movistar Team + 01:29 16 Cepeda Jefferson Movistar Team + 01:30 17 Schiffer Anton Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 01:31 18 Svestad-Bårdseng Embret INEOS Grenadiers + 01:33 19 Prodhomme Nicolas Decathlon CMA CGM Team + 01:33 20 Harper Chris Australia + 01:36 21 Hamilton Chris Team Picnic PostNL + 01:36 22 Oomen Sam Lidl-Trek + 01:39 23 Glivar Gal Alpecin-Premier Tech + 01:39 24 Schultz Nick NSN Cycling Team + 01:42 25 Bleddyn Oliver Australia + 01:54