Cycling: Daryl Impey (Mitchelton – Scott) has won the fourth stage of the Tour Down Under. Last year's overall winner took a big step towards defending the title. However, Patrick Bevin (CCC) remains the overall leader, who was able to achieve another top result with second place.
Sütterlin & Pernsteiner in the group of the day
After the Tour Down Under on yesterday third stage was already on a slightly bumpy terrain, it was supposed to be a little more difficult today on the 129,2-kilometer route from Unley to Campbelltown. At least the temperatures were much more pleasant than on the previous days. Only the light rain in the middle of the race spoiled the mood of some professionals. The sprint ratings went to the Australian today Nicholas white (UNISA – Australia) and the experienced Belgian thomas degendt (Lotto – Soudal). Together with the French Benoit Cosnefroy (AG2R La Mondiale), the Australian Miles Scotson (Groupama – FDJ), as well as the Austrian Herman Pernsteiner (Bahrain – Merida) and the German Jasha Sutterlin (Movistar) they formed a six-man breakaway. This was able to pull out a lead of around five minutes. However, the peloton, controlled primarily by Mitchelton - Scott, signaled that it was willing to catch up with all the fugitives before the finish line.
Wout Poels opens the exchange of blows between the favorites
Even before Corkscrew Road up to the only climb of the day, the leading group fell apart. The collaboration was over. Jasha Sutterlin, Hermann Pernsteiner and Miles Scotson tackled the climb in front of the peloton. But there, Team Sky ensured an enormously high pace. This eventually led to catching the last escapees before the summit. In addition, numerous well-known professionals could no longer follow. Among other things Peter Sagan (Bora – hansgrohe) distant. Wout poels (Sky) opened the open battle of the favorites after the work done by his teammates. Anyone who wanted to have a serious say in the overall victory of the Tour Down Under 2019 had to put their cards on the table and go along with it. Only three other professionals could stand up to the Sky captain right away: Richie porte (Trek - Segafredo), George Bennett (Jumbo – Visma) and Michael Woods (EF Education First).
What a climb! @Richie_Porte claims the @subaruaustralia KOM points for Stage 4 ⛰#TourDownUnder pic.twitter.com/28ZK8BXdPI
— Santos Tour Down Under 🚴🚴♀️ (@tourdownunder) 18 January 2019
Daryl Impey taking big steps towards defending his title
The leading quartet drove over the summit with a lead of eight seconds over a larger group of pursuers. The mountain classification went on Richie Porte. However, together with his three companions, he could not keep the distance in the descent, because the Australian team Mitchelton - Scott closed the gap behind them. So it came to a sprint in a group of 20-25 men at the finish in Campbelltown. Last year's overall winner Daryl Impey (Mitchelton - Scott) rewarded the work of his teammates by securing the stage win and all-important bonus seconds. Behind him, Leader sprinted Patrick Bevin (CCC) in second place Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana). Patrick Bevin remains in the lead in the overall classification. He's now seven seconds ahead of Daryl Impey, who, thanks to the bonus seconds, created a gap above all against Richie Porte today.
🏁 The defending champion @darylimpey timed that just perfectly 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 What a finish to 100% Stage 4 for the @MitcheltonSCOTT you!! #TourDownUnder pic.twitter.com/KKrfaIV7T0
— Santos Tour Down Under 🚴🚴♀️ (@tourdownunder) 18 January 2019