Two-time Tour Down Under winner Andre Greipel has made the perfect start in his bid for an unparalleled third Tour Down Under, with the Lotto-Belisol rider producing a powerful finish to narrowly edge out Alessandro Petacchi in the opening stage of the race.
The 29-year-old German, who had previously won the event in 2008 and 2010, claimed the ninth Tour Down Under stage victory of his career but was fortunate to avoid a nasty collision less than 1km from the finish line that involved nearly 30 riders.
Greipel’s teammate Jurgen Roelandts suffered a suspected broken collarbone and was one of four riders sent to hospital after the race, while Robbie McEwen escaped unhurt after also going down in the pile-up.
Two jostling Vacansoleil riders were allegedly the cause of the crash as they veered into a gravel-laden section of the road and several riders, including Australian Matthew Goss, took the opportunity to aim heavy criticism at the pair for their unprofessional conduct.
While several of the riders will be feeling the acute pains of the crash, nearly the entire field will be suffering the brutal effects of a taxing day in classically oppressive South Australian conditions.
From the outset of the 149km stage from Prospect to Clare, riders were treated to hot, blustery conditions with temperatures into the 40s, and a strong headwind only worsened conditions.
Only 6km had elapsed when a four-man breakaway including Australian under-23 champion Rohan Dennis went clear of the peloton, with their lead as high as 11 minutes 40 seconds at one point.
Dennis made a courageous move less than 15km from the line to try and win the stage, but a concerted effort from Rabobank, Team Sky and GreenEDGE steadily reeled in the breakaway and set the stage for the bunched sprint finish.
The highest-placed Australian was Team Sky’s Chris Sutton, who crossed the line in sixth position.
The Tour continues tomorrow with a 148km stage from Lobethal to Stirling, and with a southerly change bringing temperatures down into the 20s, more than a few riders will be breathing a sigh of relief.
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