Rising Australian sprinter Caleb Ewan has claimed a maiden professional cycling victory in Europe, winning Spanish one-day race Vuelta a La Rioja.
The 20-year-old from NSW proved too strong in a bunch sprint, finishing ahead of South African teammate Daryl Impey, who took second.
In his first full season with top Australian team Orica-GreenEDGE, the young gun has already clinched two stage wins this year in Victoria’s Herald Sun Tour along with two stage victories in Malaysia’s Tour de Langkawi.
Such promising results from a relatively green sprinter barely out of his teens have already prompted much excitement in cycling circles.
“Obviously this is another great confidence booster for me,” he said.
“The team rode so well. You have to pinch yourself every now and then having guys that have won monuments, worn the yellow jersey and won stages at the Tour de France all working for you whilst you are sitting on the back.
“We went to the front just before the circuit. We had a few teams try to come past but with the team so strong, no one really could.”
Orica-GreenEDGE sport director Dave McPartland said the team set the day up well for Ewan and delivered to perfection.
“Everything is still new for Caleb, every race is new and every team he goes to he has new teammates,” McPartland said.
“To have guys like today with experience he can benefit from, to keep him calm and to explain things clearly makes a big difference.”
Orica-GreenEDGE director Matt White rates Ewan as the best pure Australian sprinter since Robbie McEwen, who won three green jerseys and 12 stages at the Tour de France.
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