BURY cycling star Simon Yates believes his Mitchelton-Scott team have all the ingredients for success at the Santos Tour Down Under.

The Australian event gets under way with stage one next Tuesday, January 21, the race Yates’ first of the year as he builds up to a tilt at honours in Europe’s Grand Tours.

The 2018 Vuelta a Espana winner is part of a strong outfit including back-to-back reigning champion Daryl Impey and newly crowned Australian champion Cameron Meyer.

Yates, who is also a two-time 2019 Tour de France stage winner, believes the line-up that has been assembled will offer a variety to the team which could be key.

“As a team, the more options the better for the Tour Down Under,” said the 27-year-old Bury Clarion man.

“This race has been settled on more than one occasion on bonus seconds so everything will count.

“Daryl has found the winning formula and so we know how to approach the race. I will be there to support him or take my chances as they arise.

“Of course the more climbing the better for myself personally, but regardless, I think as a team we can go in there fully focused to win.”

The Mitchelton-Scott team have had overwhelming success in the past, winning five editions since its inception in 2012, while claiming 12 stage victories along the way.

Matt White, head sport director for the team, said: “I still think that the Tour Down Under is always won by seconds, boiling down to key intermediate sprints and bonuses on the line,” he said. “This isn’t going to change – a small mistake in this race can always be very costly.

“We are definitely going into the race with one of the strongest teams we have assembled, against a world-class field that are looking to take the title away from us.”

The 2020 course visits Adelaide, South Australia and the surrounding regions. It offers sufficient opportunity for sprinters but the uphill finishes on stages three and six will be crucial in determining the general classification.

The Schwalbe Classic is the traditional curtain-raiser and will kick things off for the 2020 tour, which culminates with the 151.5km stage from McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill.