Organizers of the Santos Tour Down Under have announced that former Grand Tour winners Chris Froome (Israel Premier Tec), Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), and Simon Yates (BikeExchange Jayco) have been selected by the Australian World Tour races to start the 2023 season.

The Tour Down Under has not been held as a World Tour race since 2020 due to the COVID-19 epidemic and travel restrictions to Australia.

In 2023, the leading teams will return and the women's race will be part of the World Tour for the first time. Racing will begin with the Schwalbe Classic Evening Criterium on Saturday, January 14. The women's Tour Down Under will be held January 15-17, and the men's January 17-22.

The route for the men's race has been changed, adding a 5.5 km prologue time trial and a summit finish on Mount Lofty.

Froom last ran the Tour Down Under in 2010, and the Israeli Premier Tech team will include 2018 and 2019 Tour Down Under winner Daryl Impey and 2022 Tour de France stage 5 winner Simon Clark.

Israel Premier Tech was demoted from the WorldTour in 2023, but will aim to retain its WorldTour status in 2026 or earlier, and will seek to earn points in the Tour Down Under.

"The race has changed a lot since I joined in 2010, getting bigger every year and becoming one of the most important races on the cycling calendar.

"We have a strong team and I think we can start off with a great result in the Santos Tour Down Under.

Thomas has often preferred to start the season with the Tour Down Under and the warmer Australian summer months. He has already stated that after finishing third in the 2022 Tour de France, he will set his sights on the 2023 Giro d'Italia.

In addition to Thomas, the Ineos Grenadiers include Australian Luke Plapp and British brothers Ethan and Leo Hayter. Thomas is likely to move to Australia at the beginning of the year to acclimatize in training in January before competing in the Tour Down Under.

"I can't wait to hit the hot Adelaide roads, which are perfect for training.

"The Ineos Grenadiers have a strong squad. We have many talented youngsters and a local hero, "Plappy."

"I can't wait to soak up the Australian atmosphere again, especially since we haven't raced there in the last few years.

Simon Yates returns to the Tour Down Under after a crash on stage 2 ended his 2020 ambitions; the 2018 Vuelta a España winner will once again lead the Australians in their quest for a home win.

"I'm really happy to start the season with the Santos Tour Down Under," Yates said.

"This is my second time participating in this race and it is very special for me and especially for the whole team. This year's route includes the Mount Lofty climb for the first time, which will be very challenging."

The Tour Down Under recently confirmed Jai Hindley, winner of the 2022 Giro d'Italia, and other big-name riders are expected in Australia in January.

"This proves the importance of the excellent race preparation for the upcoming cycling season that TDU consistently provides," said race director Stuart O'Grady.

"Chris Froome is an international sporting superstar and the only rider to have won four Tour de France races. The fact that he sees Adelaide as an important step in rejuvenating his illustrious career after a crash that nearly ended his career is heartwarming, not only as a race organizer but also as a fan.

"And Geraint Thomas, now in his 19th year as a pro, and Simon Yates, the world's best climber, should be in contention for the win on this course.

Yesterday it was announced that Caleb Yuan will also be competing in the Tour Down Under, despite the absence of Lot Destney.

Cycling News will have full coverage of the 2023 Tour Down Under, with live stage coverage, news, analysis, and exclusive interviews.