Swiss rider Noemi Rüegg confirms her reign in Australian territory. The EF Education-Oatly rider won the third and final stage of the Santos Tour Down Under Women - the Norwood - Campbelltown 126.5 km stage - and secured the overall victory in the first World Tour event of the season.
The last stage, the most challenging of the race, featured a demanding and selective route. UAE Team ADQ chose to attack: after the work of Alena Ivanchenko and Erica Magnaldi, Paula Blasi, Mavi Garcia, and Dominika Włodarczyk tried to make the difference.
On the final climb of Corkscrew Road, the Polish rider in the lead was caught by her companions Garcia and Blasi, together with the defending champion Noemi Rüegg (EF Education–Oatly).
The UAE Team ADQ riders tried to exploit their numerical superiority with a series of attacks, but the Swiss rider always responded with great promptness, ultimately winning the final sprint and securing the overall victory, repeating her 2025 triumph.
STAGE RESULTS
1. Rüegg Noemi (EF Education-Oatly) in 03:24:02
2. Garcia Mavi (UAE Team ADQ) + 01
3. Blasi Paula (UAE Team ADQ)
4. Wlodarczyk Dominika (UAE Team ADQ) + 02
5. Van Dam Sarah (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) + 12
6. Buijsman Nina (Human Powered Health)
7. Wyllie Ella (Liv AlUla Jayco)
8. Benito Mireia (AG Insurance-Soudal Team)
9. Spratt Amanda (Lidl-Trek)
10. Claes Lotte (Fenix-Premier Tech)
FINAL CLASSIFICATION
1. Rüegg Noemi (EF Education-Oatly) in 10:27:36
2. Garcia Mavi (UAE Team ADQ) + 11
3. Blasi Paula (UAE Team ADQ) + 14
4. Wlodarczyk Dominika (UAE Team ADQ) + 17
5. Van Dam Sarah (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) + 25
6. Buijsman Nina (Human Powered Health) + 29
7. Spratt Amanda (Lidl-Trek) + 29
8. Wyllie Ella (Liv AlUla Jayco) + 29
9. Benito Mireia (AG Insurance-Soudal Team) + 29
10. Claes Lotte (Fenix-Premier Tech) + 29