Cycling: Another Australian! Richie Porte (BMC) just won stage 2 of the Tour Down Under and took the lead in the overall standings. With an irresistible start, he didn't give his competitors the slightest chance.
The hardest stage at the TDU ever?
After yesterday's flat First leg from Unley to Lyndoch things really got going today. The second section was advertised in advance as the most difficult in the history of this tour. No wonder, because it went up and down steadily and the last 1,5 kilometers should only be uphill. So today, in addition to winning the stage, it was also important to be at the forefront in the fight for the overall ranking. The race was over 148,5 km long, with the end of the route again being on a circuit. With significantly cooler temperatures from Stirling to Paracombe, some drivers made off. Among them was Jasha Sütterlin (Movistar), but the Sky and Orica-Scott teams always kept the peloton close together. With just 30 kilometers to go, everything came together again. Preparations for the final of the stage began. Sergio Henao (Sky) was no longer at the front. For unknown reasons, the Colombian lost the connection and, despite an effort of several kilometers, was unable to move forward.
Richie Porte leaves no doubts
Then, heading up the penultimate climb, leader Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott) positioned himself at the front of the pack. He pushed the pace for his teammates Stephen Chaves and last year's winner Simon Gerrans. After a short descent, the hill-proof riders took over the command. 2,5 kilometers from the finish, Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) tested the competition for his captain Jay McCarthy for the first time. Then Richie Porte (BMC) attacked and the field of riders literally exploded. Only Gorka Izagirre (Movistar) was able to follow the Australian. But a kilometer from the finish he also lost contact and Porte drove towards his fourth stage win at the Tour Down Under. Izagirre and Chaves finished 16 seconds back while the peloton and 17 other riders fell 19 seconds. It also contained McCarthy from Bora-hansgrohe. Porte has never won the Tour Down Under, although he has always won the stage up Willunga Hill in the previous three years. Now he seems to have the best cards for the triumph, because exactly this section is of course part of the program again this season.
Tour Down Under Stage #2: The result of the day
| PLATZ | Driver | Country | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Richie porte | Australia | BMC | 3:46:06 |
| 2. | Gorka Izagirre | Spain | Movistar | + 0: 16 |
| 3. | Stephen Chaves | Colombia | Orica Scott | +st |
| 4. | Rohan Dennis | Australia | BMC | + 0: 19 |
| 5. | Natahan Hass | Australia | Dimension Data | +st |
| 6. | Diego Ulissi | Italy | UAE Abu Dhabi | +st |
| 7. | Ruben Gurreiro | Portugal | Trek-Segafredo | +st |
| 8. | Michael Storer | Australia | UniSA Australia | +st |
| 9. | Michael Woods | Canada | Cannondale Drapac | +st |
| 10. | Luis Leon Sanchez | Spain | Astana | +st |
Tour Down Under Stage #2: The overall standings
| PLATZ | Driver | Country | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Richie porte | Australia | BMC | 7:10:14 |
| 2. | Gorka Izagirre | Spain | Movistar | + 0: 20 |
| 3. | Stephen Chaves | Colombia | Orica Scott | + 0: 22 |
| 4. | Jay McCarthy | Australia | Bora, hansgrohe | + 0: 24 |
| 5. | Natahan Hass | Australia | Dimension Data | + 0: 27 |
| 6. | Diego Ulissi | Italy | UAE Abu Dhabi | + 0: 29 |
| 7. | Nathan Earle | Australia | UniSA Australia | +st |
| 8. | Rohan Dennis | Australia | BMC | +st |
| 9. | Luis Leon Sanchez | Spain | Astana | +st |
| 10. | Rafael Valls | Spain | Lotto Soudal | +st |