A special day at the Tour Down Under. Richie Porte makes it six Willunga Hill victories on the trot. Daryl Impey becomes the first rider to claim the ochre jersey back to back, and the cycling world says goodbye to one of their very best.

Stage 6: McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill, 151.5km

With a fierce headwind, victory on Willunga was going to be a matter of timing your effort. Team Sky definitely came with a plan with Kenny Elissonde and Wout Poels attacking on both ascents. Poels looked to be in control on the final climb,  right up until Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) sliced through the field with 1.3km to go. Poels held his wheel but when Porte attacked again at the 600m to go mark, nothing could stop the King of Willunga taking his sixth consecutive crown .

Going into the final stage Mitchelton-Scott’s Daryl Impey was only seven seconds behind the race leader Patrick Bevin (CCC). The injured Bevin was distanced as soon as the road kicked up and Impey played it cool as cucumber when Porte and Poels attacked. Pacing it perfectly to power back to them as the gradient lessened to cross the line in third place. The first rider to make a first successful defence of the ochre jersey.

Embed from Getty Images

Willunga Vibes

I tell you what, the last 300 meters were probably the longest 300 meters, it really hurt. But it was a sweet victory. Richie Porte (team report)

The Double

That’s special to go back to back. I never dreamed to come here and win twice in a row. Last year I was a lot more ecstatic because I felt like I made a big step. I feel like I am maturing more as a rider, and that’s so exciting. Daryl Impey (team report)

Bravo Bevin

It was such a shame we did not see CCC’s Patrick Bevin able to ride the finale at full strength. He’s been full of attack and consistently strong all week, it would have been a treat to see him tussle with Impey.

I’ve had a great time here – an absolute blast coming here, racing from ‘kilometre 0’, and I plan on sticking to that all year. I’m going to go out and scrap for everything all year, and this race really only sets a precedent for what’s ahead. Patrick Bevin (Cycling News)

#ThanksHayman

Embed from Getty Images

You don’t get to choose, but I couldn’t think of a better way to go out (Cycling News)

Mitchelton Scott’s Mathew Hayman rode his last stage the way he’s ridden all of his career – laying it all down for his team in true professional style. He was dropped on the first ascent of Willunga but fought hard to come back and position his leader perfectly for the second.

My whole family was on the hill, I didn’t know they were going to be out there, and that was really special. They are all quite emotional, but very special to have everyone come to see your last day of work. Mathew Hayman (team report)

We’re sure there will be pages written about this popular, unassuming rider and we know we’re going to miss him when the cobble season rolls around this year.

Full report at Cycling News.

Race Website  Race Twitter #tourdownunder

Header image: ©Chris Auld-Pool/Getty Images