Mitchelton Scott enters the 2020 Tour Down Under as the two-time defending champion, but a third title in three years is far from assured. Tough courses, strong opposition, and the likelihood of crosswinds will test the Australian team to the limit, but the team's director sportif, Matt White, is confident in the team he has assembled for the World Tour opener.

In recent years, the Tour Down Under has been decided by the bonus seconds awarded at each stage.

In 2020, however, the Paracombe summit will return for the first time in several years and the stage layout will change. In addition, the final stage will once again feature Willunga Hill.

White identified the stage to Paracombe, which Rohan Dennis won in 2015, as an important stage in the race. But he also stressed the importance of race conditions.

"The important stage for GC is definitely stage 3. If the climbers win Paracombe by any margin, it will be very hard to dislodge them. The weather this week is unusual. It's milder, so I think we'll see more aggressive racing," White told Cycling News. [When you have temperatures in the upper 30s in early January, it's pretty negative for the racers, but with the mild temperatures, the racing will be more aggressive. The wind has been blowing all week, and there is a chance of crosswinds on stages 4 and 5. That means more action.

"When it's hot and there's no wind, it's going to take a couple of efforts on the big climbs of the race. This year's teams are going to have to be more attentive from the start to the finish."

Mitchelton-Scott leader Daryl Impey enters the race with a confident and strong team. However, the defending champions have options in Simon Yates and former winner and current Australian national champion Cameron Meyer.

White has publicly stated that Impey will set a record of three consecutive wins and move closer to Simon Gerrans' four overall titles, but he is also well aware that the margin of victory could be reduced to just a few seconds.

"Darryl's chances are as good as they have been the last two years. It's a big focus for the team and Darryl has the advantage of being able to compete at altitude starting in the summer. He always has great preparation for this race.

"The course has suited him the last two years. Paracombe is a four-minute climb and super steep, but he's doing well. The beauty of the roster here is that we have options, and it's good to have options. We're covering our bases," White said.

"This race is always a close call. If you make a mistake and lose a second or two, ...... You have to get the details right, but Darryl is in position to win three of these races."

Yates is a dark horse in this year's race. He has only raced once since last year's Tour de France and his form is unknown; he will be making his debut in the Tour Down Under to start the 2020 season, but as long as the conditions are right early on, the course should suit his racing style There is no doubt about it.

"He hasn't raced in a long time but is super motivated to start his 2020 campaign. He and his partner came out to Australia early and he's itching to get his number on," White said.