South Africa's Daryl Impey will lead Mitchelton Scott's seven-man team for the Tour Down Under in January, looking for the 35-year-old's third consecutive victory in Australia's World Tour stage race.

Impey earned his first title of 2018 by "counting back" (finishing more consistently on the previous stage) after finishing in the same time as 2017 winner Richie Porte. Impey won the final stage to Willunga Hill by 13 seconds over stage winner Porte.

With an even tougher course this year and the announcement of Porte's return, Impey will really have his work cut out for him to win his third title, but he said he will give it his all in preparation and during the race.

"Preparations are going pretty well, especially since the start is different from previous years," Impey said in a team press release. 'Usually we are already back in South Africa by October, but this year we spent more time in Europe to relax after a busy season and finally arrived in mid-November.' [It takes a lot of effort to be ready in January, and while family and friends start to relax before Christmas, I am working hard to get in shape for TDU. I have a great support system, my wife, who checks all the boxes and keeps me focused on training." [Plus,] the other six guys on the team are working really hard in December, and it's a race I love, so that motivates me. It gets harder every year, but the last Tour Down Under gave me a lot of energy for the season."

"I'm really looking forward to the next Tour Down Under.

This season, Impey defended both his time trial and road race national titles in South Africa, and in July he outpaced Lotto Soudal's Tige Benoot to win stage 9 in Brioude, his first stage win at the Tour de France.

His third overall win was one win shy of tying the all-time record of four wins held by former Mitchelton-Scott teammate Simon Gerrans, who won in 2006, 2012, 2014, and 2016.

"I think my chances are as good as any of the other leading players. It's difficult because I have a target on my back, but if I'm in good enough shape, it will come down to who has the best legs in January," Impey said.

"Darryl will have a big target on his back," race director Mike Tarter agreed in a race press release.

"The 2020 Santos Tour Down Under will certainly be a big challenge for his bid for a third consecutive title, but Darryl is the first athlete in the history of the event to win it two years in a row," he noted.

"The whole thing is geared toward climbers, so it will be tough for someone like me," Impey admitted.

"You need a stage win to be in contention for the win. Wilunga is always a special place and I want to win the overall that day as well."

"All I can do is work as hard as I have in previous years, maybe even harder than usual. That may or may not be this year, but I try not to think about that. I did my best this year, and I'm sure it will be the same next year.