South African Daryl Impey, who last year became the first rider to win the Tour Down Under twice in succession, is aiming to build on his success at next year’s race, which takes place from January 19 to 26.
While another victory would leave Impey one short of former Mitchelton-Scott teammate Simon Gerrans’s record four wins, Impey would be the first to win three in a row.
“I think my chances are as good as all the other favourites and it’s about making certain stages count to put myself in a position to win it,” said Impey.
“It is harder because you have a target on your back, but when your form is good enough it’s still down to who has the best legs in January.”
Daryl Impey is aiming to build on his success at the Tour Down Under, which takes place from January 19 to 26. Photo: A.S.O./Pauline Ballet
He added that all he could do was work as hard as in previous years, if not harder.
“No doubt there will be a time where I won’t win it. It may be this year or it may not, but I try not to think about it.
“Earlier this year I went in giving my best, and the same will happen next year too.”
The 35-year-old, who won his first stage of the Tour de France this year, said his preparation was going “quite well”, especially since he had started differently.
“Normally I am in South Africa in October already, but this year I spent more time in Europe to relax more from a busy season and only arrived in mid-November.
“It takes a lot of effort to be ready in January and it’s quite challenging because all my family and friends are starting to relax before Christmas while I’m trying to build for TDU. I have a big support structure, with my wife making sure I tick all the boxes and focus on my training, so it’s easier when you have that.”
Next year’s six-stage race begins with a criterium in Adelaide on the Sunday, before official racing gets under way on the Tuesday.
“I am glad Stirling is back. I have never quite managed to win that stage but have been close in the past. It’s probably one of my favourite stages.
“Paracombe is tough and it will test me as well as many other rivals similar to me, so we will need to wait and see. I will go all out to save as much time as possible and assess afterwards what to do. I will prepare slightly differently for that type of effort, and hopefully be able to manage it. For me that’s going to be a huge decider as to who is the overall winner.
“Overall, it is more suited to climbers so it will be tougher for guys like me. You will need a stage win in the bag to be able to fight for the win. Willunga is always special and I hope to be going for the overall victory still on this day.”
View all the Tour Down Under stages:
Sunday, January 19: Schwalbe Classic – Adelaide, 51km
Tuesday, January 21: Stage one – Tanunda to Tanunda, 150km
Wednesday, January 22: Stage two – Woodside to Stirling, 135.8km
Thursday, January 23: Stage three – Unley to Paracombe, 131km
Friday, January 24: Stage four – Norwood to Murray Bridge, 152.8km
Saturday, January 25: Stage five – Glenelg to Victor Harbour, 149.1km
Sunday, January 26: Stage six – McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill, 151.5km
