All eyes will be on Adelaide next week when the Santos Tour Down Under gets underway, and for NSN Cycling Team, the opening race of the season will be a special one. The first race as NSN Cycling Team, which marks a return to the WorldTour, and for Simon Clarke, the start of his retirement tour on home soil.
As always, the Tour Down Under is as close as it gets to a home race for the team’s Aussies and Kiwis – Simon Clarke, Nick Schultz, Brady Gilmore, Corbin Strong, and George Bennett. This year, they’re joined by the British duo and race debutants Ethan Vernon and Jake Stewart, who has spent the last month enjoying the Australian summer.
“We are looking forward to starting the new season once again at the Tour Down Under, in what looks to be one of the toughest editions of the race,” explains Head Sports Director Sam Bewley. “There is something for everyone this year, and we hope to be able to play our own cards across most stages, which is where we will primarily focus our objectives.
“We have a good group to support Ethan Vernon in the bunch sprints and Corbin Strong on the more reduced days. We have had success in this race in the past, and we hope to again this year.”
For just the second time in the race’s history, racing gets underway with a short and sharp prologue in the heart of the city on Tuesday 20 January, and will return to Stirling for the final stage. For Vernon, the six-day race provides multiple opportunities to score his first win of the season.
“I’m really excited to be kicking off the 2026 season in Australia,” says Vernon. “Especially to start with a three-kilometer prologue and three sprint stages, which have been a big motivation to get back to shape over the winter. We come with a strong team for lead outs and stages, so hopefully we can leave with a stage victory, and personally, I’m hoping to start the season off with a win.”
While Clarke will officially celebrate his retirement at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race on Sunday 1 February, the Tour Down Under will mark the final stage race of his impressive 17-year career and his 15th participation at the race.
“Firstly, I need to say a big thank you to the team for the chance to finish my career at my home races,” adds Clarke. “It’s not easy to make it happen, and not many people get the privilege to finish in their home country, so I’m very grateful.
“I’m really looking forward to the last Tour Down Under as much as I looked forward to my first one. It’s a super challenging course this year, but we’ve got a good team this year, and we hope for another good race in Adelaide.”
NSN Cycling Team at the Santos Tour Down Under (January 20-25)
Riders: George Bennett (NZL), Simon Clarke (AUS), Brady Gilmore (AUS), Nick Schultz (AUS), Jake Stewart (GBR), Corbin Strong (NZL), Ethan Vernon (GBR)
Sports Directors: Sam Bewley (NZL), Patrick McCarty (USA)