The third stage came up with a finale whose executioner cast its shadow before the start and which lived up to its name: Corksrew Hill. Here, Cadel Evans (BMC), who was in excellent form, launched an attack that none of the other drivers was able to cope with. Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge) fought his way up the 2,5km climb behind his compatriot, followed by Richie Porte (Sky). But while both were eventually caught by pursuers again, the 2011 Tour winner managed to complete his attack. At the end of the day, Evans not only celebrated the stage win, but also the overall lead.
BMC Racing Team's Cadel Evans attacked Thursday's Santos Tour Down Under on Corkscrew Road and sped down the downhill to the finish. His efforts were rewarded with the solo victory and the leader's jersey.
Evans crossed the finish line 15 seconds ahead. “I thought an opportunity would present itself and I took it. The team has trained really well and we have a solid group here Down Under. It’s a lot of fun to ride here and I hope I can show even more in front of the home crowd ,” said the 2009 world champion.
Behind Evans, Nathan Haas (Garmin-Sharp) led a twelve-man group to the finish. This also included Gerrans and Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida), winners of the first two stages.
Before the peloton, including the favorites, opened their race on Corksrew Hill, a three-man breakaway group dominated the day's action. Berlin's Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) was the main force setting the pace. Together with Australian Travis Meyer (Drapac) and Ukrainian Andrei Grivko (Astana), he fought off the oncoming peloton. "I knew we wouldn't make it through. We never had more than a two-and-a-half-minute lead, especially since Grivko was only 21 seconds behind in the overall standings," Voigt said after the race. He was honored as the most active rider for his efforts.
For Evans, the ochre leader's jersey is his first since winning the Critérium International in 2012. His delight was evident after the awards ceremony: "I always smile during the decisive phases of races like this. It's about winning or losing. It's fantastic that so many Australians are interested in cycling and are flying our flag. That's what makes this tour special." Cadel Evans' last appearance at the Tour Down Under was in 2010. This time, he could emerge victorious. His form over the past three days certainly suggests so.
//Result
1.Cadel Evans (BMC) 3:34:05
2. Nathan Haas (Garmin Sharp) 0:00:15
3. Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) 0:00:15
4. Adam Hansen (Lotto-Belisol) 0:00:15
5. Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEdge) 0:00:15
//overall rating
1.Cadel Evans (BMC) 10:46:39
2. Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEdge) 0:00:12
3. Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) 0:00:15
4. Nathan Haas (Garmin Sharp) 0:00:27
5. Robert Gesink (Belkin) 0:00:29