Swiss national champion Noemi Rüegg stormed to victory on the iconic Willunga Hill during stage 2 of the Tour Down Under, securing both the stage win and the overall leader’s jersey. The 23-year-old displayed her climbing strength and tactical timing to outpace Dutch rider Silke Smulders and Norway’s Mie Bjørndal Ottestad in a thrilling finale to the 115 km stage.
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ToggleA steady start builds towards Willunga’s drama
The day’s racing began under sunny Australian skies, with the peloton keeping a controlled pace through the opening kilometres. After the fireworks of stage 1, where Daniek Hengeveld claimed a solo victory, teams appeared to favour patience as they awaited the decisive final climb. The stage featured a relatively flat profile until the double ascent of the famous Willunga Hill, which promised to be the focal point of the day.
Teams such as Lidl-Trek, EF Education-TIBCO-SVB, and Jayco-AlUla took charge at the front, ensuring no significant breakaways were allowed to establish themselves early. The calm was briefly interrupted by a flurry of attacks just ahead of the first ascent of Willunga Hill, but none managed to stick as the peloton worked to keep things together. Riders were visibly conserving energy, aware that the final five kilometres would likely determine the stage outcome.
Lidl-Trek sets the pace on Willunga Hill
The first climb of Willunga Hill, coming with around 20 km remaining, saw Lidl-Trek take control. Their Australian hope Amanda Spratt and New Zealand’s Niamh Fisher-Black were clearly the team’s protected riders, with the squad setting a relentless pace to whittle down the peloton. By the summit, a reduced group remained, but the expected attacks were yet to come.
Descending from the climb, the peloton briefly regrouped, though the selection process had already begun. Riders such as Julie Van de Velde and Elise Chabbey worked to position themselves well ahead of the final approach. The tension in the group was palpable as the riders raced towards the base of Willunga Hill for the final time.
Rüegg’s decisive move
As the race hit the lower slopes of Willunga Hill for the final climb, the group of favourites began to fracture under the pressure. The steep gradients, combined with the high pace, left just four riders at the front: Rüegg, Smulders, Spratt, and Australia’s Neve Bradbury. The quartet initially worked together, but with just over a kilometre remaining, Rüegg launched a powerful attack.
“She attacked, and I just followed her, and then I went by myself,” Rüegg explained after the stage. “At first, I thought, ‘Oh no, this was too early; I can’t keep going like this,’ but then I looked back, and I had a gap, so I had no other choice. I just had to keep going and was able to keep it to the line.”
The Swiss champion extended her lead as the climb continued, her efforts paying off as she crossed the line 10 seconds ahead of Smulders. The Dutch rider, though unable to match Rüegg’s explosive move, showed remarkable resilience to finish second. Ottestad, riding a steady and measured climb, took third place, 26 seconds behind the winner.
Notable performances in the chasing group
Behind the podium finishers, the chasing group saw a mix of established names and rising stars fighting for positions. Belgian climber Justine Ghekiere put in a solid effort to take sixth place, demonstrating her readiness for the season ahead. “It’s reassuring to know my climbing legs are there so early in the season,” Ghekiere commented after the stage.
Australian Neve Bradbury, racing on familiar roads, delivered a commendable performance to finish fourth. Despite being distanced in the final kilometre, she remained positive about her form. “It was tough out there, but I’m happy with where my form is at in January,” Bradbury said. Spratt and Fisher-Black, who had both been tipped as contenders, were unable to respond to the decisive moves on the climb, finishing in eighth and ninth places respectively.
The battle for the overall standings
Rüegg’s victory not only secured her the stage win but also propelled her into the leader’s jersey. With a 15-second advantage over Smulders and 33 seconds over Ottestad, she will head into the next stage in a commanding position. Meanwhile, Ghekiere and Bradbury remain within striking distance, with several riders bunched closely in the general classification.
Once again, Willunga Hill proved its reputation as a decisive feature in the Tour Down Under. The iconic climb delivered drama, showcasing the riders’ climbing ability and tactical instincts in a race that is shaping up to be a thrilling start to the Women’s WorldTour season.
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