Richie Porte won the stage, but Simon Gerrans now looks a virtual certainty to claim his fourth Tour Down Under title when the event concludes on Sunday, heading into the final stage with a nine-second lead.
REPORT: GERRANS NEARS FOURTH TITLE
Stage results
1. Richie Porte (BMC) @ 3:34:16
2. Sergio Henao (Sky) + 0:06
3. Michael Woods (Cannondale) + 0:09
4. Diego Ulissi (Lampre) + 0:17
5. Rafael Valls (Lotto – Soudal) + 0:17
6. Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R) + 0:17
7. Simon Gerrans (Orica) + 0:17
8. Jarlinson Pantano (IAM) + 0:17
9. Patrck Bevin (Cannondale) + 0:17
10. Chris Hamilton (UniSA) + 0:17
The crowning moment of the 2016 Tour Down Under, as per tradition, should take place on Stage 5 with the longest and most difficult stage of the race stretching 151.5km from McLaren Vale to the famous Willunga Hill. Join The Roar for live coverage of the stage from 11:30am (AEDT).
Simon Gerrans (Orica) has won the last two stages in a row, yesterday in a sprint finish which certainly would have taken a few people by surprise. The most important thing about those victories, and some intermediate sprints he has picked up, are the bonus seconds he has earned.
Heading into the penultimate stage of the race he holds a lead of 14 seconds over Jay McCarthy (Tinkoff) with Rohan Dennis (BMC) at 26 seconds.
The stage itself is lumpy the whole way before the final pair of climbs up Willunga Hill. The riders begin the day with three laps of a circuit that is 40 kilometres in length from the start line in McLaren Vale to the coast at Snapper Point, which is the location of the day’s two intermediate sprints. They will come after distances of 63.4 kilometres and 104.3 kilometres.
The first circuit is very lumpy the whole way around before going up a solid hill and descending back down to the end of the circuit. At the end of the second lap of the circuit, it will look as if the riders are beginning another lap, however once they reach the end of Main Rd at Willunga, instead of turning right as they had been doing, the riders will turn left and line up the first ascent of Willunga Hill.
After reaching the summit of Willunga Hill for the first time at a distance of 129.1 kilometres they will descend and head back to main road. After reaching Willunga for the second time, they will turn left again and line up the finishing climb of Willunga Hill where the race will finish at the top.
The way this might play out, is for Orica to lead the pack all day, protecting Simon Gerrans with Darryl Impey his last man. BMC will be aggressive, with Richie Porte and Rohan Dennis playing the 1-2 attack card. Porte is over half a minute down so expect him to go first.
Among all of that, Jay McCarthy and Sergio Henao (Sky), along with Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R) will be trying to hang on and improve their situation.
Prediction:
It is incredibly hard to see Gerrans riding badly enough to lose himself the bike race from here. Even if he doesn’t pick up any bonus seconds, being in the front group will be enough for him to keep the lead. For mine, it does look like Richie Porte has some very good legs though and will run away with the victory.
Join The Roar for live coverage of the queen stage in the 2016 Tour Down Under from 11:30 am (AEDT) and don’t forget to leave a comment if you’re following along with the action.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full report to come, Thanks for joining me today, and throughout the week for The Roar's live coverage of the 2016 Tour Down Under as Richie Porte completed a big win on Willunga Hill., That wraps up my involvement in the Tour Down Under, but The Roar should have you covered tomorrow. Be sure to join me from 7:15pm (AEDT) this evening for The Roar's live coverage of the NBL season as the Cairns Taipans play the New Zealand Breakers. Until next time, Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Scott Pryde
Expert
RESULTS, STAGE 5, 2016 TOUR DOWN UNDER 1. Richie Porte (BMC) @ 3:34:16 2. Sergio Henao (Sky) + 0:06 3. Michael Woods (Cannondale) + 0:09 4. Diego Ulissi (Lampre) + 0:17 5. Rafael Valls (Lotto - Soudal) + 0:17 6. Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R) + 0:17 7. Simon Gerrans (Orica) + 0:17 8. Jarlinson Pantano (IAM) + 0:17 9. Patrck Bevin (Cannondale) + 0:17 10. Chris Hamilton (UniSA) + 0:17
Scott Pryde
Expert
Might mix things up and go the General Classification first: GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 5, 2016 TOUR DOWN UNDER 1. Simon Gerrans (Orica) @ 17:16:31 2. Richie Porte (BMC) + 0:09 3. Sergio Henao (Sky) + 0:11 4. Jay McCarthy (Tinkoff) + 0:20 5. Michael Woods (Cannondale) + 0:20 6. Ruben Fernandez (Movistar) + 0:28 7. Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R) + 0:28 8. Rafael Vall Ferri (Lotto - Soudal) + 0:36 9. Steve Morabito (FDJ) + 0:49 10. Patrick Bevin (Cannondale) 0:50
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the stage Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, it would be fair to say Richie Porte just about owns Willunga Hill. That was a cracking ride for a kilometre there, attacking the whole way. Full results and reports to come!
Scott Pryde
Expert
So, Richie Porte will move into second overall at 9 seconds, with Henao in third at 11. 10 seconds separates 1st to 10th. Gerrans looks absolutely smashed in his interview. No energy left.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Looks like Gerrans holds the overall lead by 8 seconds now. Porte saying he won't chase time bonuses tomorrow and that he is very happy with how it has gone considering he didn't target the race.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, Porte wins on Willunga Hill for the third time in a row and if he isn't in top form yet then he is going to be a massive threat later in the year at the big races.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Gerrans should have done enough to keep the overall lead, but that was a blistering attack by Porte. RICHIE PORTE WINS ON WILLUNGA HILL
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ulissi leads the pack over about 15 seconds behind, Gerrans might be 18 or 19 seconds behind.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Porte rides all the way to the line here and what a ride! What an attack. Henao in second, Woods third.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Henao cracks again! He is losing all sorts of time here.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Porte still leads Henao and with another attack he opens a gap! What a move. Here goes Porte.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Porte has to get rid of Henao here and he is giving it everything but Henao is locked in. No sign of Gerrans.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Porte now leads the attack, with Henao in the wheel. Woods looks to have cracked but is still there.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Woods leads the chase with Henao and that is a huge attack from Porte. Gerrans has got a massive gap. Woods and Henao have just about come across.
Scott Pryde
Expert
ATTACK! Here goes Porte and that's a massive move.
Scott Pryde
Expert
One of the Lotto Jumbo riders has gone for it as well now coming across to Hamilton.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hamilton leads the race by a fair margin with 1.3 km to go. No other moves out of the pack just yet.