Australian takes first stage race win of 2026 for Emirati squad
In a thrilling and unpredictable finale to the 2026 Santos Tour Down Under, Australian Jay Vine secured overall victory for UAE Team Emirates-XRG today, overcoming chaotic conditions, intense heat, crashes, and even an unexpected kangaroo collision to claim the ochre leader’s jersey and the general classification title on home soil.
From the early stages, Vine asserted himself as the rider to beat. After winning Stage 2 with a powerful team-led attack on the Corkscrew climb alongside teammate Jhonatan Narváez, Vine took the overall lead and wore the ochre jersey for much of the race. The squad endured tough conditions throughout – including a shortened Stage 4 due to extreme heat and fire risk, and the dramatic late crash that forced Narváez out of contention with injury.
Today’s final stage was far from straightforward. Mid-race, Vine was knocked off his bike in a collision caused by kangaroos entering the peloton, but he quickly remounted, switched bikes with teammate Ivo Oliveira, and rejoined the main group. Despite the disruption, the Australian held firm and finished safely in the peloton, securing an overall triumph by more than a minute on the general classification.
Though only starting with five riders, each member of the team stepped-up to secure the lead of Vine, despite various dangerous attacks from close GC rivals. Mikkel Bjerg whom also fell victim to the Kangaroo collision was ruled out of the race and only Adam Yates and Ivo Oliveira arrived to the line in Sterling.
Vine: “ To take the win here in my home race is incredible. It was more challenging time wise three years ago. This year, we started off more positive and we just got more and more bad luck as the race went on. We really had to fight to the end. I’m so pleased to have been able to finish it off today. I always say it’s a team sport and I feel incredibly proud to be riding for this team on days like this.”
Stage 5 results
1.Matthew Brennan (Visma Lease a Bike) 3:58:08
2.Finn Fisher-Black (Red Bull-Bora) s.t
3.Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon-CMA) s.t
Final results
1.Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 6:44:54
2.Mauro Schmidt (Jayco-AlUla) +1’03”
3.Harry Sweeny (Education First-Easypost) +1’12”
