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Tour Down Under Stage 2: Hills stage set for exciting finish at Stirling
AUSSIE sprint sensation Caleb Ewan has won Stage 2 with a devastating finishing burst uphill to the Stirling finish line. The win elevates him to Tour Down Under leader ahead of a shortened Stage 3 on Wednesday. RECAP ALL THE ACTION HERE
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AUSTRALIAN sprint sensation Caleb Ewan has stunned the Tour Down Under with an outstanding win at Stirling.
After finishing third in the People’s Choice Classic on Sunday and second on Stage 1, Ewan went one better again on Thursday’s uphill finish to win the 148.6km second stage that started in Unley. Ewan came off the wheel of world champion Peter Sagan in the last few hundred metres and was by himself as he crossed the line, raising his fists in triumph. He finished ahead of Mitchelton-Scott teammate Daryl Impey and fellow Aussie Jay McCarthy. Sagan finished fourth. He now leads the overall classification by 10 seconds ahead of Impey and Sagan. Stage 3 on Thursday starts in Glenelg and travels to Victor Harbor. Race organisers have made the decision to implement changes to the race route and cancel the Bupa Family Ride due to forecast extreme heat. Mike Turtur confirmed on Wednesday night the distance of the stage has been reduced by 26km or two laps of the final circuit. “The safety and welfare of the riders, spectators and everyone involved with the race is always our primary concern,” race director Mike Turtur said. “We consulted with rider representative Adam Hansen (Lotto Soudal) and with our Chief Commissaire, and both agreed it would be sensible to shorten the stage distance.” In addition to the shortened race route for the professionals the decision has been made to cancel the Bupa Family Ride scheduled for earlier in the day, in line with the event’s Extreme Weather Safety Plan. FOLLOW OUR LIVE BLOG