The 2013 Tour Down Under moves into the Adelaide Hills for today’s 116k second stage from Mount Barker to Rostrevor. We’ll have live updates from the race as it unfolds from 11.30am AEDT.
German rider Andre Greipel and his Lotto-Belisol team scorched the opposition in yesterday’s 135km stage one, leaving the likes of Simon Gerrans and Philippe Gilbert with plenty of work to do for the remaining five stages of the event.
Today’s stage is highlighted by the gruelling 2.4km climb up Corkscrew Hill, only 7km away from the stage finish, should see a reversal in fortunes.
The stage is part of the SKODA King of the Mountain classification, which is currently led by young Australian rider Jordan Kerby, and will provide Gerrans and Gilbert the opportunity to move up from their respective positions of fourth and fifth in the general classification.
The stage, which was described by Stuart O’Grady as the Tour Down Under’s own version of the Tour de France’s Alpe d’Huez, will reshape the general classification, and sprinters such as Greipel and Mark Renshaw will find themselves freefalling from their current GC positions of 1st and 3rd unless they’ve set themselves a goal to be amongst the winners of the GC – which is unlikely.
The stage will features two sprint sections, at Echunga (32km) and Oakbank (72km), before the stage moves toward the aforementioned Corkscrew Hill at Montacute and finishes at Rostrevor.
Chad Bennett
Editor
So, at the conclusion of what has been an entertaining day of racing at the 2013 Tour Down Under, Geraint Thomas has claimed the stage win and the lead in the General Classification, and will wear the Ochre jersey when proceedings recommence for stage three tomorrow. Meanwhile, Tour Down Under favourites Phillippe Gilbert (BMC) and Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEDGE) have both had their GC chances dashed by a crash within the last 10km of the race and will find it extremely difficult to contend from here. Join The Roar tomorrow morning for continued comprehensive coverage of the 2013 Tour Down Under.
Chad Bennett
Editor
2013 Tour Down Under General Classification 1. Thomas (SKY) 2. Moreno +5 3. Hermans +7 4. Pietropolli +14 5. Slagter +14 6 J Izagirre +14 7 G Izagirre +14 8 Wellens +14 9 Bauer +14 10 Machado +14
Chad Bennett
Editor
It is being widely reported that Phillippe Gilbert is definitely part of the crash, however.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Very very odd that in the ten minutes since the race has finished, we've not seen nor heard ANYTHING regarding the crash before the finish from the Channel Nine coverage.
Chad Bennett
Editor
2013 Tour Down Under Stage Two: Mt Barker to Rostrevor 1 Thomas 2 Moreno 3 Hermans 4 Slagter 5 Wellens 6 Pietropolli 7 Bauer 8 Kelderman 9 Izagirre 10 Bennett
Chad Bennett
Editor
Javier Moreno has finished second for Movistar, and Radioshack rider Ben Hermans has finished third.
Chad Bennett
Editor
"We'll take it day by day, I came here wanting to win a stage, and I've done that...winning the GC would be a massive bonus"
Chad Bennett
Editor
"At one point I did think, ' what have I done, have a I gone too early....luckily that group came up and were willing to do a bit of the work"
Chad Bennett
Editor
Paul Sherwin now interviewing Thomas:
Chad Bennett
Editor
GERAINT THOMAS claims the second stage for Team Sky! Deserved win there for the young Welsh rider, that was an explosive sprint!
Chad Bennett
Editor
Thomas attacks 40m out!
Chad Bennett
Editor
Thomas looming, but Bennett leads with Moreno in second
Chad Bennett
Editor
1km to go! Still very easily in front!
Chad Bennett
Editor
Within 2.6km to go now! Still the four-man group of Geraint Thomas (GBR) - SKY, George Bennett (NZL) - RLT, Ben Hermans (BEL) - RLT and Javier Moreno (ESP) - MOV leading, being chased by an 11-man group around six seconds behind. Not sure they'll be able to bridge the gap!
Chad Bennett
Editor
Still nothing on the Channel Nine coverage, but reportedly up to 15 riders involved in the crash.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Some real action back in the peloton! Phillippe Gilbert and Matthew Lloyd have reportedly crashed!
Chad Bennett
Editor
Moreno, Bennett and Hermans looking to try and bridge the gap to Thomas, and they've caught him. It will be a four-man group that tries to stave off the peloton to the finish.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Geraint Thomas looking very, very good here and he grabs the lead as he begins the descent!
Chad Bennett
Editor
The terrain is getting more hilly and hilly, and with 12km to go the peloton is beginning to string out! Geraint Thomas has now made a move out front for Team Sky, and goes straight past George Bennett to lead alone!
Chad Bennett
Editor
It's an attack from Amador, the Costa Rican from the Movistar team! He's chased by Matthew Lloyd and goes straight past Amador with just under 12.9km to go.