“Watson’s smooth and fearless ride set the tone for an exciting week of racing in Australia.”
Adelaide, Australia — Britain’s Sam Watson made a winning start to the 2026 cycling season by claiming victory in the prologue of the Santos Tour Down Under.
Riding for Ineos Grenadiers, Watson clocked the fastest time of 4 minutes 13 seconds in the short individual time trial around the streets of Adelaide. He edged out fellow Brit Ethan Vernon by less than a second in a very close and tense finish.
Watson’s win earned him the ochre leader’s jersey and gave Ineos Grenadiers an early boost at the first WorldTour race of the year. It also underlined the team’s strong preparation during the off-season.
The fast and flat course tested riders’ speed, balance and control, and Watson handled the technical corners with confidence to secure the first major result of the season. Large crowds gathered in the city centre to watch the opening showdown under warm Australian skies.
The Tour Down Under now moves into its road stages, where sprinters, all-rounders and climbers will fight for stage wins and the overall title over the coming days, setting up an exciting week of racing in South Australia.