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Any misconceptions Caleb Ewan might have had about top-level professional cycling are gone.
Over three days’ racing at this Tour Down Under, the young Australian star has experienced the full spectrum of life at the top – exhilaration, deflation and now excruciating pain.
The 19-year-old phenomenon is battered and sore after being involved in a pile-up near the finish of Wednesday’s second stage at Stirling.
On Tuesday, he hoped to be a contender in stage one, but Ewan dramatically fell off the pace on the Menglers Hill climb near the finish.
Sunday night’s outstanding ride, where he finished a stunning third in the curtainraiser street race, is a distant memory.
Ewan hopes to start on Thursday, but knows he has an uncomfortable night ahead.
“I can’t really remember (what happened). There was a twitch in the bunch and I clipped a wheel,” he said.
“I’m disappointed more than anything.
“Definitely. If I could get to one kilometre to go, it was definitely a finish that suited me.
“It was just skin off but it depends (for stage three). I’m going to be pretty stiff.”
Ewan is making his WorldTour debut at this race as a member of the composite UniSA team.
He will then return to under-23 racing before joining Orica-GreenEDGE on a full professional contract in August.
UniSA team manager Dave Sanders, who was so rapt on Sunday night, was shattered for Ewan after Wednesday’s stage.
Asked for his reaction to the crash, Sanders said it could not be printed.
“He said on the radio (before crashing): I’m up. I’m ready for this,” Sanders said.
“He made the decision. It was on.
“I’m not saying that he would have done it, but he was ready to go.
“He didn’t feel great yesterday, but he was good today.”
Now Ewan has a chunk out of his knee and plenty of skin off his backside and legs.
Welcome to pro cycling.
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