Cycling: Richie Porte (Trek – Segafredo) has done it again. The Australian won the hilltop finish on Willunga Hill for the sixth consecutive year today. However, it was again not enough for the overall victory, as Daryl Impey (Mitchelton - Scott) was only a few meters behind Wout Poels (Sky) in third place. The previous overall leader Patrick Bevin (CCC), who was visibly suffering from the pain of his fall yesterday, became a tragic figure.
The Willunga Hill decides the Tour Down Under
On the last stage of the Tour Down Under 2019, all decisions should be made today. Once again, the king's stage of the tour took the drivers from McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill. The aim was to complete two sprints over the 151,5 kilometers and conquer the legendary Willunga Hill twice. However, the 7,5 percent steep increase is not very long, so that the time intervals were limited year after year. Nevertheless, this time before the start especially hoped Richie porte (Trek – Segafredo) a tough race. The Australian has won the last five finishes on Willunga Hill - but never the Tour Down Under. This Sunday he was 26 seconds behind the leader Patrick Bevin (CCC) into the race. Last year's winner Daryl Impey (Mitchelton - Scott) had a 19-second cushion on Richie Porte.
Jasha Sütterlin & Lukas Pöstlberger in the escape group
Seven riders formed the leading group of the day on the final stage of the Tour Down Under. Next to the Austrian Lukas Postlberger (Bora – hansgrohe) and the German Jasha Sutterlin (Movistar), were the Belgian breakaway king thomas degendt (Lotto – Soudal), the Lithuanian Gediminas Bagdonas (AG2R La Mondiale), the Brit Alex Dowsett (Katusha – Alpecin), the Australian Nicholas white (UNISA – Australia) and the Dutchman Danny Van Poppel (Jumbo – Visma) represented in the escape group. The latter was able to secure the full number of points in the two sprint classifications without a fight. As a result, there was no direct duel between the favorites for overall victory in the interim rankings today.
We're Talking Tactics with @thejensie on Be Safe Be Seen @MACofSA Stage 6 🎤 Tune in to learn more about recovery, team protocol and dynamics!! #TourDownUnder pic.twitter.com/5LuERGpOFu
— Santos Tour Down Under 🚴🚴♀️ (@tourdownunder) 20 January 2019
Patrick Bevin feels the consequences of his fall
With 22,4 kilometers to go, Willunga Hill had to be crossed for the first time. The seven breakaways were no longer at the top of the race at this point, because Team Sky pushed the pace enormously on the climb. Kenny Elissonde and Wout poels were even able to break away slightly and reach the summit together as a duo. In the descent, however, the heavily decimated main field shot up again to the two Sky professionals. At that point, the overall leader was no longer there Patrick Bevin (CCC). The New Zealander lost the connection with a pained face. He appeared to be feeling the aftermath of his fall yesterday and had no chance of defending the ocher jersey.
A sad sight 😢 🔶 Race leader @PaddyBevin hits the first climb of Willunga Hill and is clearly feeling the injuries he sustained in yesterday's crash!! A brave effort indeed! #TourDownUnder pic.twitter.com/vD01VUGgkk
— Santos Tour Down Under 🚴🚴♀️ (@tourdownunder) 20 January 2019
It's not enough for Richie Porte again - Daryl Impey overall winner
Team Astana led the first group together into the final climb. After Patrick Bevin (CCC) has already been distanced, namely was captain Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) suddenly in an excellent position. The Spaniard ended up just nine seconds behind Daryl Impey (Mitchelton – Scott) and the stage winner were promised a time bonus of ten seconds. But then Team Sky took command again. After the preliminary work of Dylan VanBaarle attacked Kenny Elissonde anew. Closed a short time later Wout poels almost effortlessly the gap. The two Sky professionals simply repeated their action from the first Willunga Hill passage. The competition seemed beaten - until that "King of Willunga" attacked: Richie porte (Trek – Segafredo) dismounted with 1,3 kilometers to go and sprinted up the mountain. He let Wout poels stand and secured victory on Willunga Hill for the sixth year in a row. But as in the previous year, it shouldn't be enough for the overall victory, because Daryl Impey secured behind Wout poels third place only a few meters behind - and thus the title defense at the Tour Down Under.
6️⃣ IN A ROW!!! @richie_porte wins again on Willunga, but it's @darylimpey that makes history, becoming the first man to win back-to-back @santosltd Tours Down Under!! Incredible!! #TourDownUnder pic.twitter.com/lXX1ixQgHj
— Santos Tour Down Under 🚴🚴♀️ (@tourdownunder) 20 January 2019
Mathew Hayman is retiring
The Mitchelton - Scott team can also look forward to the overall victory at the Tour Down Under 2019. At the same time, the Australian team said goodbye in person Matthew Hayman one of the greatest Australian drivers of recent years. The now 40-year-old completed his last professional race today. The 1,90 meter giant made history in 2016 when, at the age of almost 38, he won the one-day classic Paris – Roubaix. Despite the double reason to celebrate, the men from Mitchelton - Scott knew how to empathize with the tragic figure of the tour. side by side with Patrick Bevin many helpers drove up Willunga Hill in yellow and black.
Some pats on the back for @Mathew_Hayman, The @MitcheltonSCOTT star who is riding in the pro peloton for the last time. Chapeau, sir 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 #TourDownUnder pic.twitter.com/RkI8HwnkBj
— Santos Tour Down Under 🚴🚴♀️ (@tourdownunder) 20 January 2019