The Willunga Queen stage. Let’s get down to it.
Stage 5: McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill, 151.5km
BMC’s Richie Porte conjured up that old Willunga magic to make his 5th consecutive victory salute atop the famous climb. The Tassie tyro kicked once, kicked twice and rode all his competitors off his wheel as they battled a fierce headwind. However, as the camera switched between Porte at the front and race leader Peter Sagan (BORA-hansgrohe) at the back, we missed the GC topping move from Mitchelton-SCOTT’s Daryl Impey who raced over the line to grab second place and the overall lead on countback. Tom-Jelte Slagter (Dimension Data – I’m NEVER going to remember that transfer) rounded out the Queen stage podium.
Video… I’ve posted the race finish for the excitement of Willunga as well as the official highlights.
For those who like the rules…
When the wind blows…
Who say’s the Tour Down Under isn’t good preparation for the Belgian Classics. Here’s EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale putting it in the gutter and causing chaos right before Willunga
King(s) of the Mountain…
While Richie definitely deserves his title of the King of Willunga, today saw the first breakaway of 2018 for Lotto-Soudal’s Thomas de Gendt. King of the Tour Down Under mountains in 2017, the Belgian rode clear with his polka dot heir apparent Nickolas Dlamini (Dimension Data) on the first ascent of the climb. De Gendt rode on solo to take the most competitive rider prize and Dlamini amassed an unassailable lead in the 2018 competition. Way to go VeloVoices #youngdude.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile we’re talking about young professional riders making their debut, how about Team Sky’s young Colombian Egan Arley Bernal! What a ride, I can’t put it any better than this…
Full report at Cycling News.
Race Website Race Twitter #TDU
Header image: Richie Porte storming up Willunga © Kei Tsuji/Tim De Waele via Getty Images
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