Cycling: Caleb Ewan (Lotto – Soudal) can look forward to his second stage win at the Tour Down Under. The Australian won the fourth stage in the bunch sprint ahead of Sam Bennett (Deceuninck – Quick-Step), Jasper Philipsen (UAE Team Emirates) and André Greipel (Israel Start-Up Nation). Daryl Impey (Mitchelton - Scott) was able to make up three seconds on leader Richie Porte (Trek - Segafredo) in the overall standings thanks to the intermediate sprints.
Daryl Impey grabs three bonus seconds
After yesterday's arrival for the punchers, it was the sprinters' turn again today at the Tour Down Under. The fourth stage ran over 152,8 kilometers from Norwood to Murray Bridge. Up to the first two sprint classifications in Cudlee Creek and Williamstown, no group could break loose because the Mitchelton - Scott team didn't want to let anyone go. There secured himself Daryl Impey (Mitchelton – Scott) three valuable bonus seconds. He was able to reduce the gap in the overall standings from six to three seconds. After that, five breakaways took off. Also there again: The American Joey Rosskopf (CCC). He was already in the leading group on stages #1 and #2 and wanted to defend his lead in the mountains classification today as well. He succeeded in doing this when he got the maximum number of points on the 5,4 percent steep Lead Prospect Hill.
🎥 An update on what's happened in the race so far since the riders left Norwood in @southaustralia Stage 4 🚴🏻♂️#tourdownunder #raceupdate pic.twitter.com/TG6Vfut9rT
— Santos Tour Down Under 🚴🚴♀️ (@tourdownunder) January 24, 2020
Wind edges to the south
Just like the wearer of the mountain jersey, his companions didn't stand a chance against the onrushing peloton. The Canadian James Piccoli (Israel Start-Up Nation), the Belgian Laurens de vreese (Astana) and the Spaniards Jorge Arcas (Movistar) and Sergio Samitier (Movistar) clearly suffered from the wind conditions. Initially still relatively harmless as a tailwind, it later blew laterally into the main field. The change of course to the south should not make it easy for the pros for the remaining 30 kilometers. Numerous attempts by different teams to ensure a far-reaching division of the peloton failed.
Bennett too early - Ewan wins again
So it came to a more or less classic mass sprint. After a few quite complicated curves Caleb ewan (Lotto – Soudal) before Sam Bennett (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) sprinted his second Tour Down Under victory. The podium completes Jasper Phillipsen (UAE Team Emirates). Tomorrow the pros will cover 149,1 kilometers from Glenelg to Victor Harbor on the Tour Down Under. Despite the 5,9 percent steep incline of Kerby Hill 20,0 kilometers from the finish, a decision in a mass sprint is expected.
Caleb Ewan is the Stage 4 winner 💪
The Aussie edges past Sam Bennett in a thrilling finish.#tourdownunder | @tourdownunder pic.twitter.com/CC38yd34Zh
- 7Sport (@ 7Sport) January 24, 2020