Tour Down Under 2023: Tour de France winners Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas will compete

Two Tour de France winners and a Vuelta a Espana champ are the latest riders locked into a star-studded Tour Down Under line-up.

Tour de France winners Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas headline the international contingent for the Tour Down Under.

Vuelta a Espana champion Simon Yates is also heading to South Australia, which will mean there will be four Grand Tour winners competing with Australia’s Giro d’Italia winner Jai Hindley also racing.

Tour Down Under race director Stuart O’Grady said the multiple Grand Tour winners travelling to SA was the ultimate recognition the event could wish for.

“It proves the importance of what the TDU consistently delivers, in the means of great race preparation for the cycling season ahead,” O’Grady said.

Tour Down Under race director Stuart O’Grady says the presence of Tour de France winners is the ultimate recognition: Picture: Russell Millard.

“Chris Froome is an international sporting super star and the only rider still competing that has won four Tour de France.

“The fact that he sees Adelaide as an important step in rejuvenating his illustrious career after his almost career ending crash, is heartwarming not only as a race organiser, but also as a fan.

“Then you have Geraint Thomas, riding into his 19th season as a Pro, and Simon Yates who is one the world’s best climbers who should be right up there in contention on this course.

“Riders like this are a huge drawcard for the cycling fans and the next generation watching on, and we should treasure each time we get the opportunity to witness these legends on our

shores.”

One of the greatest cyclists of all time Froome, a four-time Tour de France winner on top of two Vuelta crowns, returns to the TDU for the first time since 2010.

The presence of riders like Chris Froome could be a major drawcard for the Tour Down Under. Picture: Getty Images.

The 37-year-old will head to Adelaide with his Israel - Premier Tech team, which will feature 2018 and 2019 TDU winner Daryl Impey and stage five winner at the 2022 Tour de France Simon Clarke.

Froome said he was excited about returning to Adelaide.

“The race has changed a lot since I was there in 2010, getting bigger and better each year, to

now be one of the most important races on the cycling calendar,” Froome said.

“I know the Aussie fans are some of the best in the world so I can’t wait to be back on their home soil and have them cheer us on.”

Thomas, the 2018 Tour de France winner, will lead a young INEOS Greanadiers line-up at the TDU.

Alongside him will be rising Australian star Luke Plapp, as well as British brothers Ethan and Leo Hayter.

Geraint Thomas was in Adelaide for the 2022 Tour and will be back again in 2023. Picture: Getty Images.

Thomas, 36, finished third in the 2022 Tour de France and won the Tour de Suisse.

He said he was looking forward to starting his 2023 in Adelaide.

“I can’t wait to get down there in the heat of Adelaide, which has some great roads for training,

and I’m looking forward to starting my year there,” Thomas said.

“The INEOS Grenadiers have got a strong line-up; a lot of good young guys and a local hero in ‘Plappy’ as well, so we’ll look to race aggressively and try get as much as we can out of it.

“I’m sure the atmosphere is going to be great as well, especially after not having had the race

there for a couple of years now, so I can’t wait to soak up the Australian atmosphere again.”