Andresen Claims Tour Down Under Sprint Opener, Dethroning Welsford
No welsford this time. Tobias Lund Andresen fends off Aussie and budding superstar Brennan to take early honors in the battle of the sprinters at the tour Down Under.
Andresen held off Brennan and Welsford for the win. (photo: TDU/Special to Velo)
Updated january 21, 2026 12:44PM
Sam Welsford ruled the
Santos Tour Down Under sprints with an iron fist during the past two seasons, but that reign ended Wednesday after
Tobias Lund Andresen launched a perfectly timed surge to deny the Aussie in a frantic dash into Tanunda.
Welsford, who swept six of seven sprints at the WorldTour season opener across 2024 and 2025, was surging late along the barriers in his Ineos Grenadiers season debut, but Andresen had just enough to hold on for the first WorldTour win of his career.
Rising star
Matthew Brennan (Visma-Lease a Bike) was also coming fast and crossed second on the road after the high-speed finale for the first major bunch kick of 2026 in the men’s WorldTour.
“When I crossed the finish line, I could see wheels coming up on both sides, but with a leadout like this, it really sets you up for a win,” the Dane said. “It feels amazing to win.”
“I honestly can’t remember the last time I felt this way.It’s unbelievable,” Andresen said. “The bike is incredibly fast, and my teammates did an exceptional job today. I truly enjoyed this finish.”
The eye-watering finish provided the first glimpse of the