Tour Down Under 2026: Jay Vine wins despite crash with kangaroo

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – Australian cycling star Jay Vine has secured a dramatic overall victory at the 2026 Tour Down Under, overcoming a bizarre and chaotic crash with a kangaroo on the final stage to claim the coveted ochre jersey for his UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad.

The final day of Australia's premier stage race was defined by high drama, with Britain's Matthew Brennan of Visma-Lease A Bike winning the stage, but the narrative was dominated by an incident that underscored the unique challenges of racing Down Under.

Final Stage Carnage

The decisive moment of chaos occurred with under 100km remaining on the 169.8km fifth and final stage around Stirling, near Adelaide. A large kangaroo, moving at speed, darted across the road and directly into the path of the fast-moving peloton.

The initial impact sent several riders to the ground. In the ensuing panic, the tumbling animal caused a secondary wave of crashes as cyclists swerved to avoid the unfolding danger.

Jay Vine, the overall race leader, was among those brought down in the incident. In a display of resilience and rapid team thinking, he quickly abandoned his damaged bike and mounted a spare belonging to a teammate. This quick change allowed him to rejoin the main group and defend his lead.

The incident was not without serious consequences. Menno Huising, a Dutch rider for Visma-Lease A Bike and teammate of the stage winner, was forced to abandon the race due to injuries sustained in the crash.

Brennan Takes Stage Honours

While the peloton regrouped from the mayhem, the race for the stage win continued unabated. In the final kilometres, a powerful acceleration on the uphill sprint finish saw Britain's Matthew Brennan surge to victory.

The Visma-Lease A Bike rider demonstrated formidable strength to hold off New Zealand's Finn Fisher-Black (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe), who finished second. Tobias Lund Andresen of Decathlon-CMA CGM rounded out the stage podium in third.

This victory marks a significant milestone for Brennan, who is considered one of the brightest young talents in professional cycling.

Final General Classification

Despite the crash, Jay Vine's performance throughout the week ensured he finished safely in the main bunch, cementing his overall victory by a comfortable margin of one minute and three seconds.

Switzerland's Mauro Schmid of Jayco-AlUla secured a commendable second place in the final General Classification (GC). He was followed by another Australian, Harry Sweeney of EF Education-EasyPost, who claimed the final podium spot in third.

A Successful Week for Multiple Riders

The conclusion of the Tour Down Under saw several riders and teams leave with significant accolades from the first UCI World Tour event of the 2026 season.

• Points Classification: The blue jersey for the most consistent sprinter was awarded to Tobias Lund Andresen of Decathlon-CMA CGM, a reward for his high placings across multiple stages.

• Mountains Classification: Norway's Martin Urianstad Bugge, riding for Uno X Mobility, secured the mint-green king of the mountains jersey for his efforts on the race's categorised climbs.

• Stage Four Victory: The race had already seen success for British riders, with sprinter Ethan Vernon claiming Saturday's stage for NSN, the new team notably co-owned by Spanish football icon Andres Iniesta.

• Opening Prologue: The race began with a British victory, as UK national road champion Sam Watson of Ineos Grenadiers won the initial time trial prologue to wear the first leader's jersey of the tour.

The week was also marked by extreme weather conditions, with Saturday's fourth stage being shortened by organisers to protect rider welfare amid temperatures that soared to 43°C (109.4°F).

The British Wave

The performance of Matthew Brennan caps a remarkable opening week for British cycling on the world stage. His win, coupled with the earlier victories by Vernon and Watson, highlights the depth of talent emerging from the UK.

Brennan's rise has been particularly swift. In his debut elite-level season in 2025, he amassed an impressive 12 victories, signalling his potential to compete at the highest level. His power on undulating terrain and in tough, uphill sprints makes him a versatile and dangerous competitor.

This victory in Australia serves as a major validation of his talent and his team's investment in his development.

What's Next: The Australian Summer of Cycling

For many riders in the peloton, the season's racing in Australia is not over. The focus now shifts to Melbourne for the one-day Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

Given his demonstrated power on rolling courses and his explosive finishing kick, Matthew Brennan will enter the race as a strong favourite for victory.

Following the Australian block, Brennan is scheduled for a full European spring campaign. His program includes several of the sport's most prestigious one-day races, known as the "Monuments."

• March: Milan-San Remo
• April: The Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix

His participation in these legendary cobbled classics indicates a high level of confidence from his Visma-Lease A Bike team. The Tour Down Under victory provides a perfect launchpad, establishing momentum as he heads towards the heart of the professional cycling season.