'I'm ready for some climbing' - Jay Vine makes fast start at Tour Down Under

The Australian time trial champion had the honour of being the last rider down the start ramp, but time splits were of little benefit on the flat, 3.6km course in Victoria Park. No matter, Vine’s all-out effort was enough for fourth place, four seconds down on winner Sam Watson (Ineos Grenadiers).

“It was completely flat, a total power course,” Vine said afterwards. “I’m really happy I was able to put in a good effort and keep my gap to the other GC guys really competitive. I’m ready for some climbing for the rest of the week.”

Vine was the best placed of the overall contenders on Tuesday, while his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate and defending champion Jhonatan Narváez limited his losses to eight seconds.

“It’s really good, we haven’t lost lots of time to the rest of the GC guys,” Vine said. “Me and Jonny are still quite close. We can go for bonus seconds, or we can go on the attack and really set ourselves up well for a nice stage in Stirling on Sunday.”

Vine started his 2026 campaign on a high note with his second time trial title in the Australian Championships. He complained of heavy marking at the road race, though he showcased his form by riding on the front of the peloton to hunt down the break.

“If you won’t work with me, or even let me race, then I will bring the race to you, even if it means I don’t get a result,” Vine wrote on social media afterwards. “I had a good block of training on the front of the pelo[ton].”

When the Tour Down Under last featured a prologue in 2023, Vine finished just inside the top 10 on the opening night before going to claim overall victory. Then as now, he was racing in the green and gold of Australian time trial champion.

“It’s really special,” he said. “The last time I had this jersey was in 2023 and I got to wear it in the Tour Down Under. To do it again is incredibly special.”