Daryl Impey will enter the final stage of the Tour Down Under with the leader’s jersey
Daryl Impey will take a two-second lead over Richie Porte into the final stage of the 2020 Santos Tour Down Under.
Tour Down Under
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The first man to congratulate Italy’s Santos Tour Down Under stage 5 winner Giacomo Nizzolo from NTT was a rival that hopes to get Richie Porte across the line as the overall winner at Willunga Hill on Sunday.
Nizzolo, 30, smiled when Trek-Segafredo’s Danish reigning UCI world champion Mads Pedersen – Saturday’s most aggressive rider – congratulated him behind the podium after the 2016 Italian national road champion claimed the Glenelg to Victor Harbor stage.
Pedersen was keeping his own man Porte safe from danger but obviously knew the heartache Nizzolo had been through for the past two years.
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A series of injuries including a broken shoulder, back problems and tendinitis had stalled Nizzolo’s career.
“Finally I had a good winter (pre-season) this was really a big success for me starting the season without any injuries or problems,’’ Nizzolo said.
“It looks like everything is going good and so far I’m so happy.
“He (Pedersen) just said congrats and I have to say he made my race a bit tough he went into the attack and of course obviously he is super strong.
“But I think for the people (fans) looking at the race it was a bit interesting as well.
“It’s better like this. “
After Nizzolo had finished third in 2016 at Victor Harbor, the 2015 Giro D’Italia points champion said he had targeted Victor Harbor for a win more than a week ago.
Italian Simone Consonni, 25, from Cofidis finished second and Sam Bennett, 29, from Deceuninck-Quick Step finished third after he claimed stage 1 on Tuesday and a second place at Murray Bridge on Friday.
“At the team presentation (pre stage race) I picked this stage,’’ he said.
“ I thought it would suit me quite well and with the climb (near the finish) I wasn’t sure if it would have been a sprint but I had a great team around me.
“They waited for me on the climb, I lost a few seconds on the top and then they brought me back.
“In the final kilometres they supported me and everything worked well.
“We have a good team spirit and I think we can bring this forward for the next season.”
Originally published as Daryl Impey will enter the final stage of the Tour Down Under with the leader’s jersey