Noemi Rüegg launches the 2025 cycling season perfectly from a Swiss perspective. The Zurich native wins the Tour Down Under at the start of the Women's World Tour in Australia.
19.01.2025, 07:13
19.01.2025, 08:16
SDA
One day after her first stage win at the highest level, Rüegg also became the overall winner of a tour for the first time in her young career. The 23-year-old from the EF Education-Cannondale team fended off all attacks from the competition on day three and even sprinted to third place at the end of the 105.9 km final stage. The stage through the Adelaide Hills around Stirling was won by two-time time trial world champion Chloé Dygert from the USA.
"It was quite a challenge today. I was very nervous all day because I really wanted to bring home the leader's jersey. The fact that I managed it makes me super happy," said a delighted Rüegg in the winner's interview. The Swiss champion sees herself on the right track for the rest of the year: "I now know that I did the right things in the winter. I can build on that."
Rüegg won the overall standings with a 13-second lead over Silke Smulders from the Netherlands. Elise Chabbey, the second Swiss woman, moved up two positions to 5th place thanks to winning a bonus second.