“We have already explored Willunga Hill. I think I like the climb,” Ghekiere looked ahead at a press moment on Thursday. There she was presented as one of six women to watch. “But I have to see how I react to the heat. It is very warm here, for someone who comes from Belgium, from the snow.” Temperatures of up to 32 degrees are forecast this weekend in Australia, where it is now summer.
The Australian Sarah Gigante, final winner of the Tour Down Under last year, is missing from the selection of AG Insurance – Soudal this time due to injuries. That is why Ghekiere wears the jersey number 1. The 28-year-old West Flemish made a complete breakthrough last year, with a stage win and the polka dot jersey in the Tour, also the mountain jersey in the Giro, and a tireless World Cup in the service of the future world champion Lotte Kopecky.