Overview
- British sprinter Ethan Vernon (NSN) won the shortened stage into Willunga township in a bunch finish after the queen-stage climbs were scrapped.
- Defending champion Jhonatan Narváez crashed early and was withdrawn on medical advice, and UAE teammate Vegard Stake Laengen also abandoned after a separate incident.
- Organizers cut the route from 176 km to 131 km and removed the iconic Willunga Hill because of extreme heat and fire danger, with temperatures peaking near 45°C.
- Jay Vine finished safely to retain the ochre jersey, leading Mauro Schmid by 1 minute 3 seconds with Harry Sweeny third at 1:12 heading into Sunday’s Stirling circuit finale of about 169 km.
- Crosswinds and a split peloton shaped the stage after warnings that coastal echelons could threaten GC positions, leaving Vine’s reduced UAE squad to defend on the final day.