Tour Down Under: Stage 2 live updates
Roar Rookie By TheSportsFreak, 18 Jan 2012 TheSportsFreak is a Roar Rookie
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Stage 2 of the Tour Down Under kicks off from Lobethal and finishes up in Stirling. This 148km stage is expected to take just under four hours for the riders and the good news for them is the weather is a lot cooler than yesterday.
There’s two sprint points today – Jayco Sprint #1 is in Mt Torrens (23.7km) and in Jayco Sprint #2 in Balhannah (62.4km). There’s also one Skoda King of the Mountain spot in Lenswood (46.7km).
Our live updates will kick off at 1130 AEDST (11am local time).
German Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) has a four second lead coming into the second stage after his win in Stage 1 yesterday. He avoided the crash just a kilometre out from the finish to lead from Italian Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-ISD) and Switzerland’s Martin Kohler (BMC Racing Team).
Will we see some action today from the Australian GreenEDGE team? Can any of the other Aussies in the field bring home a win? Join us for the updates throughout the day.
And don’t forget, any questions, thoughts or comments – send them through. We’ll do our best to keep you up to date.
The Crowd Says (77) | Page 1 of Comments
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5:16pm
thesportsfreak said | 5:16pm | Report comment
William Clarke made up 1:14 on top spot, but he’s still 0:36 behind, in 66th spot
5:14pm
thesportsfreak said | 5:14pm | Report comment
SANTOS Tour Down Under General Classifications – After Stage 2
Martin Kohler (Sui) (BMC Racing Team) 8:33:05
Andre Greipel (Ger) (Lotto-Belisol) +0:02
Michael Matthews (Aus) (Rabobank) +0:04
Simon Gerrans (Aus) (GreenEDGE) +0:08
Rohan Dennis (Aus) (UniSA Australia) +0:09
Jayco Sprint – After Stage 2
William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia) 21pts
Martin Kohler (Sui) (BMC Racing Team) 20pts
Michael Matthews (Aus) (Rabobank) 18pts
SKODA King of the Mountains – After Stage 2
William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia) 10pts
Martin Kohler (Sui) (BMC Racing Team) 8pts
Tiago Machado (Por) (RadioShack-Nissan) 4pts
4:18pm
thesportsfreak said | 4:18pm | Report comment
Will Clarke on his win today “The peloton gave me more time and I thought ‘you guys have to chase me hard to catch me’. I was dying in the last ten kilometres.” Not surprised!
4:11pm
thesportsfreak said | 4:11pm | Report comment
As soon as the results become official, we’ll sum them up for you. Still playing the waiting game at the moment.
3:52pm
thesportsfreak said | 3:52pm | Report comment
Nice to see an all-Australian 1-2-3.
The gap between Clarke and the peloton isn’t enough to get him the leader’s Ochre jersey, but he’ll remember this day for the rest of his career.
Those bonus seconds Martin Kohler (Sui) (BMC Racing Team) was gaining ended up being VERY important, because he now leads the General Classification of the SANTOS Tour Down Under and will wear the Ochre jersey tomorrow.
3:34pm
thesportsfreak said | 3:34pm | Report comment
The peloton was very close… only about 500m away from him. William Clarke officially buggered after that. Michael Matthews (Aus) (Rabobank) 2nd, Simon Gerrans (Aus) (GreenEDGE) 3rd , Alejandro Valverde (Esp) (Movistar) 4th. That’s unofficial. Get that for you soon
3:35pm
shan said | 3:35pm | Report comment
stumbled across this site, great coverage, more up to date than some major competitors in the cycling world. well done
3:53pm
thesportsfreak said | 3:53pm | Report comment
Thanks Shan… we were busily turning the pedals ourselves!
3:32pm
thesportsfreak said | 3:32pm | Report comment
William Clarke comes across the finish line and wins the Coleman’s Group Stage 2 of the Tour Down Under! What an amazing ride. Broke with Martin Kohler after just 1100m, then broke past him at the second sprint point and has stayed in front. Brilliant!
3:31pm
Rob McLean said | 3:31pm | Report comment
A great sports story.
3:30pm
thesportsfreak said | 3:30pm | Report comment
William Clarke now 1km to go! Bring it home son!
3:29pm
thesportsfreak said | 3:29pm | Report comment
26 year old William Clarke from Tasmania, riding for UniSA Australia, coming up to the finish line with 1.5km left. This gap has been closing considerably in the last half hour, but they look like they’ve left their run too late
3:28pm
thesportsfreak said | 3:28pm | Report comment
William Clarke is coming up to Aldgate… which means just a couple of 2.5 km’s to go. The gap 2:35 seems like he’ll be okay
3:27pm
Rob McLean said | 3:27pm | Report comment
It’s his. Top show, ol’ chap.
3:26pm
thesportsfreak said | 3:26pm | Report comment
Will Clarke now at 2.5km to go… margin is 3:15
3:24pm
thesportsfreak said | 3:24pm | Report comment
Team BMC trying their best to close the gap in the peloton… but I don’t think they’ll get there now.
3:24pm
thesportsfreak said | 3:24pm | Report comment
Will Clarke now starting to feel he can win this. He’s gone through 4km and around a 4:00 lead
3:22pm
thesportsfreak said | 3:22pm | Report comment
Will Clarke’s now gone out of Mylor and the lead has steadied to 4:10 according to race radio.
This could be a huge moment coming up!
3:21pm
Rob McLean said | 3:21pm | Report comment
Make that five kays.
3:21pm
thesportsfreak said | 3:21pm | Report comment
Will Clarke just coming into Mylor now. 4:20 is the gap with 8km to go. Doubt he’ll get the overall lead, but might just hang on for the Coleman’s Group Stage 2 win.
3:21pm
Rob McLean said | 3:21pm | Report comment
The circuit nature of this stage has got the onlooking punters confused – lapped riders are getting cheered as if they’re coming to the finish.
With eight kays to go, the chances of Clarke winning are growing.
3:20pm
King of the Gorgonites said | 3:20pm | Report comment
c’mon Clarke!
3:19pm
thesportsfreak said | 3:19pm | Report comment
10km to go for Will Clarke… 15km left for the peloton. They trail by 5:05. If they’re gaining ground quick enough, they could catch Clarke in the last 200m.
Will Clarke’s going to have to find all the adrenaline left in him to push himself over the line
4:36pm
Tristan Rayner said | 4:36pm | Report comment
Crowd at Stirling waiting for Clarke and the peloton:
3:10pm
thesportsfreak said | 3:10pm | Report comment
ABC Radio reporting the gap is now 6:10? Haven’t seen or heard that come through yet… if it is, that’s a massive worry for William Clarke. Still got about 15km to go for the Tassie. And NOW the gap comes through at 6:10. *insert Dragnet theme*
3:13pm
shan said | 3:13pm | Report comment
want Clarke to stay away (underdog, always!) but come on Renshaw and come on GreenEdge!
3:08pm
Rob McLean said | 3:08pm | Report comment
Huge effort from Clarke here
3:12pm
thesportsfreak said | 3:12pm | Report comment
He’s been outstanding today. Breaking at that 2nd sprint point seemed like a dangerous thing to do. Got the lead out past 12 minutes at one point. But that peloton’s really motoring now.
3:07pm
thesportsfreak said | 3:07pm | Report comment
Peloton now goes through Stirling with 21.6km to go. Leigh Howard (Aus) (GreenEDGE) out front. Trying to time it with my phone, the gap is about 7:00-7:30. They’re definitely gaining time on Clarke… but they’ll need to get some help from Clarke himself.
3:03pm
thesportsfreak said | 3:03pm | Report comment
The talk is GreenEDGE is starting to make a charge out the front. Can they charge down about 8:30 to William Clarke? Will we see Simon Gerrans or Cam Meyer being pushed out the front by the end of the race to claim the win?
2:57pm
thesportsfreak said | 2:57pm | Report comment
Shouldn’t be too far away for William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia) to passing the line in Stirling. That will mean 1 lap and approximately 20km to go. The gap is still closing – at about 9 minutes
2:52pm
thesportsfreak said | 2:52pm | Report comment
The estimated finish time is the next 25 minutes, but I’d imagine it will be closer to 40 minutes (so around 1530 AEDT or 1500 SA time)
Clarke’s lead has dropped considerably now – down to 9:30. The last lap I’m sure will be a struggle for Will – by himself up against 130 other riders who want that top spot.
The peloton is on the charge
2:44pm
thesportsfreak said | 2:44pm | Report comment
The peloton has around 43km to go, while the leader is a good 7-8km ahead of them.
Will Clarke (or @clarkeywilbur if you want to follow him on Twitter) looks extremely strong with a 10:35 lead now.
Time for the peloton to make a move and make it now.
2:48pm
Tristan Rayner said | 2:48pm | Report comment
Great call TSF. Enjoying the action.
2:52pm
thesportsfreak said | 2:52pm | Report comment
Thanks Tristan. Might see an Aussie winner today *thumbs up*
2:37pm
thesportsfreak said | 2:37pm | Report comment
Clarke’s lead is still 11:15 ahead of the peloton! This is a remarkable ride from Will Clarke. He left Martin Kohler (Sui) (Lotto-Belisol) behind after the 2nd of the sprints and has not looked back. Who knows, he could be in Ochre by days end…
2:29pm
thesportsfreak said | 2:29pm | Report comment
We’re told the gap is 8km which is around 10:30-11:00. Keep in mind, between now and the finish line, the peloton need to gather up the pace to go through around 50km, while Will Clarke by his lonesome only has 42km to go.
2:26pm
thesportsfreak said | 2:26pm | Report comment
William Clarke finishes the first of three laps through Stirling. Around 40km left for him.
2:24pm
thesportsfreak said | 2:24pm | Report comment
Angel Madrazo (Esp) (Movistar) has now been caught by the peloton. The lead is still around 10 minutes. With under 50km to go, can the Tassie 26 year old William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia) keep the lead in Stage 2?
The profile of this 20km circuit shows a decent drop from Bradbury to Mylor, but then a little uphill climb on the way into the finish line in Stirling.
2:14pm
thesportsfreak said | 2:14pm | Report comment
Angel Madrazo (Esp) (Movistar) now breaks away from the peloton. Gets 30 seconds ahead of the peloton. Clarke’s lead now around 11:30. I’d say around 52km until the end for Clarke… but still awaiting an official mark.
2:10pm
thesportsfreak said | 2:10pm | Report comment
Short-lived attack at the front of the peloton for Javier Moreno, now caught. There’s a couple of indications that Andre Greipel is struggling a fair bit today. Is he just foxing? Lead for Will Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia) is still a touch over 12 minutes
2:05pm
thesportsfreak said | 2:05pm | Report comment
Javier Moreno (Esp) (Movistar) is trying to keep away from the peloton as they pass through Stirling for the first time. The gap keeps building though. Race radio says Clarke’s lead is a staggering 12 minutes
2:02pm
thesportsfreak said | 2:02pm | Report comment
10:50 the peloton trail by on William Clarke and now there’s a few riders on the attack from the main group. We’re told there’s five trying to make a charge. But they get gobbled up straight away.
There could be an entertaining next hour and a fifteen
1:54pm
thesportsfreak said | 1:54pm | Report comment
The Tassie boy William Clarke goes through the eventual finish line in Stirling… 3 laps of 20km ahead and a massive lead of 11 minutes over the peloton.
Can he hold on?!
1:51pm
thesportsfreak said | 1:51pm | Report comment
Reports there’s a couple of spots of rain about in Stirling. That could be mean the peloton has to make their charge a little earlier than usual. Hopefully the finish is a little safer than yesterdays.
Gap check – William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia) is 11:00 ahead of the peloton and 2.5km away from Stirling. That will put him around 60km away from the finish
1:47pm
thesportsfreak said | 1:47pm | Report comment
Gap is now 9:05 from William Clarke to the peloton
1:41pm
thesportsfreak said | 1:41pm | Report comment
We’re now being told William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia) has extended his lead to around 7:00 over Martin Kohler (Sui) (Lotto-Belisol)! Kohler is still about four minutes ahead of the peloton.
Clarke’s closing in on Stirling.
For the 80′s nerds out there, you may remember Stirling were one of the powerhouses in the original It’s A Knockout…
Okay, I’ve had my 80′s IAK moment. I’ll stop now.
1:32pm
thesportsfreak said | 1:32pm | Report comment
Latest from the 65km mark.
William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia) leads by 2:10 over Martin Kohler (Sui) (Lotto-Belisol)… then a 4:45 gap to the peloton
1:29pm
thesportsfreak said | 1:29pm | Report comment
Michael Matthews (Aus) (Rabobank) was right up there in the Jayco Sprint #2 and may have snagged 3rd spot. He finished 3rd in the first sprint of the day. Andre Greipel (Ger) (Lotto-Belisol) was right beside him, hoping to reel back a second on Kohler.
But Matthews grabs 3rd spot.
Official Jayco Sprint #2
1st Martin Kohler (Sui) (Lotto-Belisol)
2nd William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia)
3rd Michael Matthews (Aus) (Rabobank)
1:26pm
thesportsfreak said | 1:26pm | Report comment
William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia) makes a little break up the front now on Martin Kohler!
Has he gone too early or his banking on the weariness of the riders from yesterday?
The gap though has been brought back to 5:25 to the peloton.
1:21pm
thesportsfreak said | 1:21pm | Report comment
Jayco Sprint #2. Once again it’s Martin Kohler (Sui) (Lotto-Belisol) comes through to get the points and the 3 bonus seconds. William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia) gets 2nd.
That means if Kohler goes across the line with Greipel, then Kohler will lead by 2 seconds. Very handy.
The riders on their way to Mylor before starting a 3-lap course from Stirling to Bradbury to Aldgate to Stirling.
1:17pm
thesportsfreak said | 1:17pm | Report comment
3km away from the Jayco Sprint #2. Kohler/Clarke’s lead is now down to 8:45 over the peloton.
1:15pm
thesportsfreak said | 1:15pm | Report comment
Good news for William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia) grabs 10 points for the Skoda King of the Mountain and now has the polka dot jersey to wear tomorrow.
SKODA King of the Mountain standings (Overall through Stage 2)
William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia) 10pts
Martin Kohler (Sui) (Lotto-Belisol) 8pts
Tiago Machado (Por) (RadioShack-Nissan) 4pts
Marcello Pavarin (Ita) (Vacansoleil-DCM) 3pts
Thomas de Gendt (Bel) (Vacansoleil-DCM) 2pts
Rohan Dennis (Aus) (UniSA Australia) 1pt
1:06pm
thesportsfreak said | 1:06pm | Report comment
Not to be for Marcello Pavarin. Instead, Tiago Machado (Por) (RadioShack-Nissan) takes 3rd spot in the Skoda King of the Mountain
1:03pm
thesportsfreak said | 1:03pm | Report comment
And, as if on cue, the Vacansoleil-DCM team on the charge with the peloton starting to break up on the climb up to Lenswood. Watch for Pavarin to be near the front of the pack wanting that extra point.
12:58pm
thesportsfreak said | 12:58pm | Report comment
Martin Kohler will move to 4 points on the Skoda King of the Mountain classifications. Depending on where Marcello Pavarin (Ita) (Vacansoleil-DCM) is in the peloton, Kohler will hold at least the polka dot jersey tomorrow. Gap now officially out to 10 minutes.
12:54pm
thesportsfreak said | 12:54pm | Report comment
William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia) reportedly takes the Skoda King of the Mountain for Stage 2 ahead of Martin Kohler (Sui) (Lotto-Belisol). There’s still a large gap to everyone else though – some 10 minutes until the peloton comes through.
12:52pm
thesportsfreak said | 12:52pm | Report comment
The front two are starting the climb for the Skoda King of the Mountain in Lenswood (46.7km).
Leading are Martin Kohler (Sui) (Lotto-Belisol) & William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia) and they lead the peloton by 9:45
12:44pm
thesportsfreak said | 12:44pm | Report comment
At 42km, we’re just moments away from the Skoda King of the Mountain spot in Lenswood (46.7km). Again, Martin Kohler & William Clarke are at the front and will take the main points. The time gap is out to 8:55 to the peloton.
12:41pm
thesportsfreak said | 12:41pm | Report comment
If you have a tip for the Tour Down Under, let us know. Post away! Will Andre Greipel win his third TdU?
12:29pm
thesportsfreak said | 12:29pm | Report comment
GreenEDGE car coming to the aid of Stuart O’Grady and Jay McCarthy getting some help from his UniSA Australia car.
At 31km, the lead has all of a sudden blown out to 8:10 between Kohler/Clarke & the peloton
12:24pm
thesportsfreak said | 12:24pm | Report comment
Official results Jayco Sprint #1 (Mt. Torrens)
1. Martin Kohler (Sui) (Lotto-Belisol)
2. William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia)
3. Michael Matthews (Aus) (Rabobank)
12:19pm
thesportsfreak said | 12:19pm | Report comment
Recap through about 27km
Martin Kohler (Sui) (Lotto-Belisol) & William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia) the two in the breakaway. There’s a gap of 6:30 between them and the main peloton, who have caught up to the group 12 riders that was headed up by Michael Matthews (Aus) (Rabobank)
12:17pm
thesportsfreak said | 12:17pm | Report comment
With Martin Kohler getting the 1st spot, he gets himself 3 bonus seconds as well… that means he’s technically 1 second behind Andre Greipel. But… of course… still a long way to go.
The peloton about to come through. There’s five riders out the front chasing for the extra point, while three more try to chase them down.
Michael Matthews (Aus) (Rabobank) looked like getting the 3rd spot in Jayco Sprint #1 through Mt Torrens.
There’s a slight gap between those 5-8 riders and the rest of the peloton, but expect them to come back to the pack
12:13pm
thesportsfreak said | 12:13pm | Report comment
Here comes the first sprint of the day. The pace-makers Kohler and Clarke come across the line with the Swiss in front of the Tasmanian.
Martin Kohler takes 1st, William Clarke 2nd. Peloton probably a couple of minutes still getting through Jayco Sprint #1
12:05pm
thesportsfreak said | 12:05pm | Report comment
Jayco Sprint #1 for today is not far away in Mt Torrens. It’s at the 23.7km so probably the next couple of minutes.
12:03pm
thesportsfreak said | 12:03pm | Report comment
After 16km – it’s still Kohler and Clarke out by their lonesome. But they’re pushing the pace as it gets out around 5 minutes now. Martin Kohler is in 3rd spot in the General Classification (0:04 behind), while William Clarke was 1:50 back from the top in 127th. He could get a little boost today.
11:58am
thesportsfreak said | 11:58am | Report comment
Rohan Dennis (Aus) (UniSA Australia) was outstanding yesterday as part of breakaway. You can read Roger Vaughan’s report on it here – http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/01/18/young-cyclist-stars-in-the-heat/
11:54am
thesportsfreak said | 11:54am | Report comment
Martin Kohler might have the Ochre jersey on the mind early. If he gets the sprinters time bonuses today, he could just be in front. But there’s a long way to go. Still have 136km left. The BMC Racing Team’s car helping one of their riders at the moment with an issue (Manuel Quinzianto)
11:52am
thesportsfreak said | 11:52am | Report comment
We lost two riders yesterday during the first stage – Jurgen Roelandts (Bel) (Lotto Belisol) and Frédéric Guesdon (FRA) (Equipe Cycliste FDJ – Big Mat). It means there’s now 131 riders in Stage 2.
The gap now out to nearly 3 minutes with Martin Kohler (Sui) (Lotto-Belisol) & William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia) on the attack. Peloton probably happy to let them go at the moment.
11:46am
thesportsfreak said | 11:46am | Report comment
A 50 second gap already with Kohler & Clarke after 7km. Kohler doing as he pleases it would seem – he did the same thing yesterday. Surprising after the sweltering conditions in Stage 1, thought he might sit back in the peloton
11:40am
thesportsfreak said | 11:40am | Report comment
They’ve just come out of the neutral zone. The temp at the moment only around 19 degrees – compared to yesterday, they’ll think it’s arctic!
Two attacks already out of the neutral zone – Martin Kohler (Sui) (Lotto-Belisol) & William Clarke (Aus) (UniSA Australia)
11:32am
thesportsfreak said | 11:32am | Report comment
And the starters gun has been shot – off we go. Expect a quick start as well. We go downhill after just a couple of kilometres into Gumeracha
11:30am
nordster said | 11:30am | Report comment
good one sportsfreak, keep us updated … wish channel nine would show these stages live on their sub-channels. Or let Eurosport show the international feed which is going out. They have the saturday stage live which is somethin.
11:34am
thesportsfreak said | 11:34am | Report comment
No worries nordster. It is a bit of a shame we can’t see it… but the argument is going to be free-to-air commercial broadcasting which is lucrative.
11:25am
thesportsfreak said | 11:25am | Report comment
If you haven’t had a chance to catch up on what happened yesterday… Andre Greipel will be in the Ochre jersey.
Stage 1 – Andre Greipel (Ger) (Lotto-Belisol) 4:33:30, Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) (Lampre-ISD) +0:04, Martin Kohler (Sui) (BMC Racing Team) +0:04, Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) (Equipe Cycliste FDJ – Big Mat) +0:07, Rohan Dennis (Aus) (UniSA Australia) +0:08
Greipel also leads the Jayco Sprint classifications with 15 points, but Alessandro Petacchi (14 points) will wear the sprinters jersey today.
11:19am
thesportsfreak said | 11:19am | Report comment
Good morning. We’re about 10 minutes away from the start of the Coleman’s Group Stage 2. This is where we will see some movement from the top men. Expect to hear names like Greipel, Gerrans, Sanchez, Hagen up near the front by day’s end.
The good news is there’s much better conditions for the riders, with a coolish start to the day and it’s not meant to be too windy.