Fantacyling 2024 is finally about to begin: it starts tonight with the Tour Down Under, a short category 4 stage race in Australia.

The not particularly demanding route and a startlist with many unknowns will immediately put the fantasy coaches to the test, with choices that will be decisive for starting the season in the best possible way.

No time trial scheduled and two uphill finishes in the last two stages; in particular, the fifth stage will be decisive with the double climb of Willunga Hill (3.4 km at 7.3%).

For the general classification we highlight the names of S.Yates and Plapp of Team Jyaco Alula, of Alaphilippe (who could also aim for a couple of stage successes), then the UAE duo formed by Ulissi and Fisher-Black , without forget also the very young promise Del Toro. Team Visma could focus on Vader or the 2002 class Staune-Mittet while at Ineos there are several uncertainties about who will be the leader: Narvaez, Ganna and De Plus could be the designated captains. Other riders who could achieve a good overall placing are Onley, Williams and Guerreiro.

There will instead be two safe sprints (third and fourth stage), while the remaining two stages will be dedicated to sprinters capable of holding up on the climbs. Among the sprinters we mention the hosts Ewan and Strong , Bauhaus of Bahrain-Victorius and Welsford of Bora Hansgrohe, then Girmay , awaiting a season of redemption and our Viviani .