G’Day Veloshirians!! WorldTour racing is back with the Tour Down Under. While we’re all trying to get to grip with transfers, team kit and team names it seems some things never change as Elia Viviani kicked off 2019 in the same style as he finished 2018 – with an effortless, beautifully timed victory.
Stage 1: North Adelaide to Port Adelaide, 129km
The stage was destined to be a one for the fast men finish and the closing kilometres saw the sprint trains line out early across the road. Sunweb’s Max Walscheid struck out early and looked to have the race in the bag when out of the chaos Elia Viviani (Deceuninck-Quick Step) lit the blue touch paper. The Italian champion stayed calm, went for the gaps, kicked late and scorched past the young German to claim the win and the ochre leader’s jersey. Jakub Mareczko (CCC) rounded out the podium.
It’s even more impressive from the overhead. Keep your eye on him as he starts his move – a rider at the peak of his ability.
Full report at Cycling News.
Header image: ©Tim de Waele/Getty Images