photo credits @ TDU
Tobias Lund Andresen moved into the Santos Ochre Leader’s Jersey after winning the opening Vanguard Stage 1 in Tanunda today.
The 23-year-old Dane upstaged Britain’s Matthew Brennan and hot favourite Australia’s Sam Welsford at the finish line after 120.6km.
“When I crossed the finish line I could see wheels coming up on both sides, but with a lead-out like this, it really sets you up for a win. There were cross-winds the last 5km so we wanted to be in a good position, and I think we did really well to stay together. I just had to commit and trust my teammates and it ended up like this,” said Andresen.
As a result, South Australia Prologue winner, Samuel Watson, was forced to give up his Santos Ochre Leader’s jersey to the Dane, but his time trial victory proved how vital it could be to his title chances by Sunday afternoon, while Watson (INEOS Grenadiers) is just one second behind Andresen.
Earlier, Andresen’s team flew beneath the radar before attacking to perfection after defending TDU champion Jhonatan Narvaez immediately signaled his intent during the stage race.
Narvaez picked up a maximum of three bonus seconds in the first Ziptrak sprint of the day with 107.6km to go. Narvaez ended the day just seven seconds down while his teammate, Australia’s Jay Vine, is two seconds ahead of the Ecuadorian.
Tudor ProCycling’s Maikel Zijlaard and Juan Sebastiano Molano (UAE Team Emirates XRG) also earned time bonuses alongside Narvaez before the race was controlled by the peloton until the dying stages of the final Tanunda lap.
It was a relatively easy day for the UCI WorldTour cyclists, by the high standards set by the professionals. However, there was drama despite the leisurely early pace.
Max Van Der Meulen crashed heavily into a barrier not long after the first Ziptrak intermediate sprint on the way to Angaston and was assessed for concussion.
His team, Bahrain Victorious, issued a statement declaring the Dutchman’s health was a concern after he was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
The team confirmed that Van Der Muelen was “conscious and communicating” on his way to the hospital.
ProTour team Tudor Cycling, which has been invited to every WorldTour this year as a wildcard, also lost a rider. Germany’s Marius Mayrhofer was forced to abandon the race after Guillaume Martin and Groupama – FDJ United teammate Enzo Palani and Martin Urianstad Bugge (UnoX Mobility) did plenty of work early in the race.
The trio had a 2min 30sec gap, 70km before the Murray Street, Tanunda finish line over the peloton. They shared efex King of the Mountain points after climbing Menglers Hill for the first time, while Martin Urianstad claimed the jersey for Thursday’s Health Partners Stage 2, Norwood to Uraidla.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
