Martin Kohler wrests back lead at Tour Down Under
Roar Guru By Chad Bennett, 20 Jan 2012 Chad Bennett is a Roar Guru
Veteran Spanish rider Oscar Freire defied his age to claim the fourth stage on Friday’s 134km stage to Tanunda, but it was Martin Kohler who did enough to finish back in the ochre jersey on a gruelling day’s cycling that saw Andre Greipel’s title chances evaporate.
The three-time world world champion Freire, who turns 36 next month, showed no signs of age to finish at the front of a 40-man group in yet another bunched finish, while Gerald Ciolek (Omega Pharma Quickstep) and Daniele Bennati (RadioShack-Nissan) finished second and third respectively.
The peloton split with around 20km to go in the stage during the approach to the summit of the challenging Mengler’s Hill climb, and two-time Tour Down Under winner Greipel the major casualty.
A three-man breakaway group containing Ruben Perez Moreno (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Blel Kadri (Ag2r) and Jay McCarthy (Uni-SA) became the focus of the peloton’s attention and when GreenEDGE and Movistar decided enough was enough, Greipel’s dream of a third tour victory was over.
The German sprinter entered the stage in ochre having won stages one and three, but wilted badly as the increased the tempo up the hill and faded to finish seven minutes behind the main group.
Rabobank’s Michael Matthews continues to loom as a winning chance, finishing fifth to remain a mere two seconds behind Kohler, while GreenEDGE rider Simon Gerrans remains the other major Australian chance, a further six seconds behind.
Today’s intriguing finish sets up the race perfectly for tomorrow’s 151km stage from McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill, which features two laps of the Willunga Hill climb.
With a gentle, non-threatening 90km ceremonial stage rounding out the race on Sunday, tomorrow’s action shapes as must-see action with the rider who wears the ochre jersey nearly certain to claim the title.
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