Aussies feeling stage fright in Santos Tour Down Under

STAGE three is done and dusted and Australia still doesn't have a winner at this year's Tour Down Under.

STAGE three is done and dusted and Australia still doesn't have a winner at this year's Tour Down Under.

Yesterday it was little-known Dutchman Tom Jelte Slagter who stole the glory in the 139km leg from Unley to Stirling in the Adelaide Hills.

Matt Goss stood on the podium alongside Slagter, but Australia doesn't have a rider in the top 15 or leading any of the major classifications.

Adam Hansen (Lotto Belisol) is the top-placed Australian in 13th overall, 15 seconds off the pace.

He is our huge hope of cracking the top 10 overall.

Goss and fellow sprinters Mark Renshaw (Blanco), Graeme Brown (Blanco), Jonathan Cantwell (Saxo-Tinkoff) and Chris Sutton (Team Sky) all have the chance to ride off with Australia's first stage of the tour either today or in Sunday's finale in Adelaide - two legs tailor-made for the fast men.

Goss said Australia's struggles are proof that the field is getting stronger every year.

"Years ago the Aussies would have a good off season and be a step ahead of the European guys coming here," he said.

"Now it is a WorldTour race and it is just as important as any one-week stage race throughout the season. You see guys coming here in really great shape now.

"They have done as much, if not more training, than the Australians.

"I would love to see Aussies roll up in their home race. But we have to accept it's not going to happen every year."

Goss and his GreenEDGE teammates yesterday played starring roles before being edged out for the honours in a bunch sprint to the line.

"We didn't quite get the win but you have to take each day as it comes, make the most of every opportunity," he said. "And I tried to do that today."

The stage was marred by a crash which sent Saxo rider Tim Duggan to hospital in a neck brace with a suspected broken collarbone and a hip injury.

Goss's teammate, Tasmanian Simon Clarke, was voted most competitive rider of the day.

The award was handed to the 26-year-old after he was involved in a daring breakaway with fellow Australian Will Clarke which could have won the race but for the determination of Team Sky to keep their man Geraint Thomas in the overall lead.

"We don't come to the Tour Down Under to win the most aggressive jersey but it is a good consolation prize," Clarke said.

"GreenEDGE had a bit of a disappointing day yesterday. It always looks crap when you put all your eggs into one basket and it doesn't work out. But you don't win races without gambling.

"We sat in the team meeting and said today we are going to make up for it."

STAGE 3 RESULTS

1. Tom Jelte Slagter (NED/BLA) 3hr 36min 46 sec

2. Matthew Goss (AUS/OGE) s.t.

3. Philippe Gilbert (BEL/BMC) s.t.

4. Geraint Thomas (GBR/SKY) s.t.

5. Giovanni Visconti (ITA/MOV) s.t.

6. Javier Moreno (ESP/MOV) s.t.

7. Simone Ponzi (ITA/AST) s.t.

8. Daniele Pietropolli (ITA/LAM) s.t.

9. Ivan Santaromita (ITA/BMC) s.t.

10. Gorka Izagirre (ESP/EUS) s.t.

Selected

37. Andre Greipel (GER/LTB) at 33sec

40. Simon Gerrans (AUS/OGE) 42

124. Andy Schleck (LUX/RLT) 16min 47sec

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Geraint Thomas (GBR/SKY) 9hr 56min 17sec

2. Tom Jelte Slagter (NED/BLA) at 05sec

3. Javier Moreno (ESP/MOV) 06

4. Ben Hermans (BEL/RLT) 08

5. Daniele Pietropolli (ITA/LAM) 15

6. Jon Izagirre (ESP/EUS) s.t.

7. Gorka Izagirre (ESP/EUS) s.t.

8. George Bennett (NZL/RLT) s.t.

9. Jack Bauer (NZL/GRS) s.t.

10. Wilco Kelderman (NED/BLA) s.t.

Selected

33. Phillipe Gilbert (BEL/BMC) at 2min 53sec

37. Simon Gerrans (AUS/OGE) 3min 26sec

56. Andre Greipel (GER/LTB) 6min 48sec

124. Andy Schleck (LUX/RLT) 24min 36sec  

Click here for all the TDU stage and jersey info

summary">News_Rich_Media: Liggett previews Tour Down Under stage three (24/1)