Hi and welcome to Stage 6 of this year’s first and foremost UCI World Tour event, the Santos Tour Down Under.
We have been and gone through nearly the entire tour, as we enter into today’s final dash we are left to reflect on yesterday.
Simon Gerrans captured the hearts and souls of Australian’s all around the world, celebrating Australia day in winning fashion.
In the race for General Classification, TJ Slagter of Team Blanco took control and a valiant second place on the stage that finished up to historical Old Willunga.
Today we conclude with 20 laps of a 4.5km inner-Adelaide kermesse. Wind shouldn’t be an issue today, leaving little possibility for Slagter’s GC challengers to take back seconds, besides the sprint bonuses.
I am hoping to see a race ‘on from the gun’ in hot pursuit of these precious bonus seconds.
Join us for updates & live blog of the race.
Lee Rodgers
Expert
Wow. That's not like winning a 'lesser tour' - that was a win on the World Tour! Impressive early season form there from Slagter - more evidence that the sport is cleaning up, perhaps?
Adam Semple
Expert
Thanks for reading everybody. Check me out on @adamsemple for more cycling universality.
Adam Semple
Expert
Lotto nailed the finish in a textbook fashion. Perfectly, and forcefully, they are true champions.
Adam Semple
Expert
Boassen Hagen 3rd for a non-pure sprinter which is amazing. Slagter doesn't know what hit him, but I'll assure you, he won.
Adam Semple
Expert
Greipel won by 2 lengths, even after Renshaw got a great jump with 200m to go.
Adam Semple
Expert
Amazing attempt from Renshaw, he hit out very early with huge speed but was still toppled for by Greipel. Greipel wins. Slagter wins overall in Ochre.
Adam Semple
Expert
3 riders with 500m to go. Greipel should win this.
Adam Semple
Expert
STILL 4 riders from lotto on the front. 1km to go
Adam Semple
Expert
Boassen Hagen has it, he can sprint too.
Adam Semple
Expert
Lotto lined up and Sky behind Lotto. Warfare for Greipel's wheel.
Adam Semple
Expert
Lotto first 4 riders around last corner.
Adam Semple
Expert
Last lap and Luke Durbridge driving the front to keep Greenedge prominent at the front.
Adam Semple
Expert
Jonathan Cantwell has crashed. Slid out on an insignificant corner.
Adam Semple
Expert
Second last lap, the leaders have been caught as many teams are massing at the front to control the race. This keeps their team leaders out of trouble and everyone wants to be controlling it.
Jono Lovelock
Expert
Kerby kicks hard, Kohler straight on him. The battle for the most aggresive jersey is on
Adam Semple
Expert
Greenedge and Vacansoleil have also started chasing. Matt Goss was one I have forgotten about, I will be tipping him today behind Greipel.
Adam Semple
Expert
Lot's of desperate guys without a result this weak. Hopefully we don't see too much of a dangerous finale.
Adam Semple
Expert
Second last lap and Martin Kohler is looking resplendent in his Swiss National Champion get-up.
Adam Semple
Expert
15 seconds for the break away. Same 3 guys, Lotto, Saxo, Blanco, at the front.
Adam Semple
Expert
Maybe CJ Sutton? Renshaw? Those two are Aussie and keen.