Noemi Ruegg Leads Tour Down Under After Victory

Swiss cyclist Noemi Ruegg of EF Education-Oatly triumphed in the second stage of the 2025 Women's Tour Down Under on Willunga Hill, clinching the leader's ochre jersey. Ruegg surged ahead in the final kilometer, finishing 10 seconds before Dutch rider Silke Smulders (Liv Jayco AlUla), with Norway's Mie Bjorndal Ottestad (Uno-X Mobility) taking third, 26 seconds behind. This victory marks Ruegg's first UCI World Tour win, adding to her previous success at the Trofeo Felanitx-Colonia de Sant Jordi. The stage was historic as it featured two climbs of Willunga Hill for the first time in the Tour Down Under's women's category. Ruegg now leads the general classification by 15 seconds ahead of Smulders and is positioned favorably heading into the final stage. The race has showcased intense competition among climbers, with Ruegg crediting her team's support for her performance and newfound confidence.