Tour Down Under #6: Porte celebrates overall victory, Geschke a sensational 3rd place

Cycling: The Seven Year Itch! Richie Porte (Trek – Segafredo) missed his seventh straight win on Willunga Hill. Outsider Matthew Holmes (Lotto – Soudal) secured this. However, Richie Porte can be happy about the overall victory for the second time. The podium is completed by Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) and sensationally the German Simon Geschke (CCC). Jonasutsch (EF) also presented himself strongly today, who, as a breakaway on the final climb, was even the sole leader for a short time.

26 men in the leading group of the day

Who will win the Tour Down Under 2020? That question should be answered today on the 151,5 kilometer stage from McLaren Vale to the summit of Willunga Hill. But before the big showdown of the favorites came, no fewer than 26 breakaways shaped the event. The Germans were among those in the huge leading group Yuri Hollman (movistar), Jonas slip (EF), André Greipel (Israel Start-Up Nation) and Rick Zabel (Israel Start-Up Nation) and the Austrian Mark Haller (Bahrain-McLaren).

Together, the fugitives managed to extend their lead relatively quickly to over four minutes. That was allowed Joey Rosskopf (CCC) at least virtually put on the ocher leadership jersey. Currently wearing a mountain jersey, the American actually sneaked into the group to secure the maximum number of points in the first finish passage on Willunga Hill. Due to the large lead, however, he must have dreamed of even greater success.

Joey Rosskopf wins the mountains classification

In order to get the gap to the breakaway group under control, left Richie porte (Trek – Segafredo) his teammates are working. It turned out to be particularly helpful today Mads pedersen (Trek – Segafredo). The world champion acted as a locomotive for many kilometers. This allowed the peloton to gradually reduce the gap – and Joey Rosskopf virtually ride out of the leader's jersey again.

However, the mountain jersey could not be snatched away from Joey Rosskopf. After he crossed Willunga Hill first with 22,4 kilometers to go at the finish line, his victory in this classification was certain. The 30-year-old – who has already contested five Grand Tours – is celebrating perhaps the greatest success of his WorldTour career to date. But the American wanted more with a lead of more than two minutes.

@theTiser Advertiser Ride of the Day is awarded to Joey Rosskopf 🇺🇸from @CCCProTeam 🏆#tourdownunder #advertiser #rideoftheday pic.twitter.com/qmOPPz44wh

— Santos Tour Down Under 🚴🚴‍♀️ (@tourdownunder) January 26, 2020

Jonasrutsch attacked

Although she in person Daryl Impey had the leaders in their own ranks, the Mitchelton-Scott team held back on the tracking work. Trek - Segafredo was left to do all the work. Only a few kilometers before the start of the final climb did the Australian team push the pace. So the gap shrank to less than a minute and the dream of Joey Rosskopf was finally a dream.

Jonas slip (EF), on the other hand, lived his dream. Hardly arrived at the foot of Willunga Hill, he attacked together with Luke Rowe (Ineo). A short time later, the German - actually classified as an upcoming classic hunter - even left his companion behind. But when Willunga Hill, with an average gradient of 7,5 percent, presented its most difficult sections, Jonasrutsch was caught again by a few breakaway colleagues and passed through.

Onto the climb we go! 3km with 1'00" to go as Chute attacks Rowe! #TourDownUnder

— ByTheMinute Cycling 🚲 (@ByTheMinCycle) January 26, 2020

Richie Porte leaves everyone - except Matthew Holmes

Kenny Elissonde (Trek – Segafredo) meanwhile piloted his captain up Willunga Hill. Daryl Impey (Mitchelton – Scott) soon lost track. As Richie porte (Trek – Segafredo) then launched an attack and had to Simon yates (Mitchelton – Scott) tear. It looked like another win for the 'King of Willunga' as Richie Porte flew past all the breakaways and towards his sixth straight victory on Willunga Hill.

But one just couldn't be shaken off. Matthew Holmes (Lotto – Soudal) first bit into Porte's rear wheel, only to then even accelerate again. Richie Porte couldn't answer anymore. But he could still be happy, because it should be enough for the overall victory. The day's victory, however, goes to the Briton Matthew Holmes, who at the age of 26 just competed in his first WorldTour race and last season was still on the road for the Continental team Madison Genesis.

Simon Geschke is third overall

Between all the breakaways, the sensation of Matthew Holmes and winning the title again richie porte, the other places almost went under. But especially in the fight for the podium at the Tour Down Under 2020, it should only be a matter of fractions of a second! Finally allowed to Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) are happy about their second place. Also 25 seconds behind Simon Geschke (CCC) listed as a third party. The German actually made it in the thriller by the tenth, the Ineos duo Rohan Dennis and Dylan van Baarle to keep behind. The local team Mitchelton - Scott should be particularly disappointed. Book at the end of the tour Daryl Impey and Simon Yates only ranks #6 and #7. Austria Herman Pernsteiner (Bahrain – McLaren) finishes the Tour Down Under in tenth place.

During the mountain classification Joey Rosskopf (CCC) goes, wins Jasper Phillipsen (UAE Team Emirates) the sprint classification. As the best young driver Pavel Shivakov (Ineos) honored. Because of his overall victory Richie porte the first leader in the UCI ranking. The WorldTour continues on February 2nd with the C. Evans Great Ocean Race. But the Vuelta Ciclista a la Provincia de San Juan starts today. Among others, Peter Sagan (Bora – hansgrohe), Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) and Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) are at the start.