photo credits @ TDU
Sam Welsford has delivered what his team promised to claim: the opening stage of the Santos Tour Down Under as it celebrates 25 years of racing in South Australia.
The Australian powered away from his Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe teammates with perfect timing to win the Ziptrak Stage 1 bunch sprint at the Gumeracha finish ahead of Great Britain’s Matthew Brennan (Team Visma-Lease A Bike) and Groupama-FDJ’s Matthew Walls.
Welsford mirrored his start to the Santos Tour Down Under in 2024 to take the opening stage after the race left from Prospect.
He is also the race leader in the general classification, with a deserved four stage wins to his name since claiming his first in South Australia last year.
“We had our backs up against the wall from the start,’’ Welsford said. “No-one wanted to help us out there today – we kind of expected it. “We just kept the break in check and eventually some teams started to put one on in the last 60km and then the gaps started coming down as well. “The pressure was on and I’m really relieved.”
Meanwhile, ARA Australia’s Zac Marriage and Fergus Browning put themselves in the spotlight, with the pair staying away from the main peloton as soon as the start gun was fired at Prospect until about 40km from the Gumeracha finish line.The 21-year-olds traded Ziptrak sprint and efex King of the Mountain bonuses before they were caught by a relentless peloton.
The pair jointly claimed the prestigious Yamaha Most Competitive rider jersey after a brilliant day on hot saddles.
Browning will wear the efex King of the Mountain jersey during Health Partners Stage 2 Tanunda to Tanunda on Wednesday.
“It was a hard day and a big day out in front, and we really need to take every opportunity we can,’’ Marriage said. “There’s no better way to start than from kilometer zero. “It was rewarding… it’s my home race and I train here every day.”
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