Woods: Tour Down Under is Bevin's to lose

18 January 2019 12:02
Michael Woods (EF-Education First) has said the Tour Down Under is now Patrick Bevin's to lose, after he and other climbers failed to put time into the overall race leader and 2018 champion Daryl Impey on stage 4. Woods attacked with Richie Porte, Wout Poels, and George Bennett on the Corkscrew climb but they were caught by Bevin, Impey and other members of a reduced peloton on the descent into Campbelltown, where Impey sprinted to the stage win. "A couple of guys were grabbing their brakes a bit too much through the corners and we lost a bit of speed on the descent," Woods explained beyond the finish line.ADVERTISEMENT "But we all committed. I was stoked, because I knew I have a good sprint relative to other climbers, but then we just didn't have enough of a gap and they brought us back. I'm a bit upset. I tried to get Impey's wheel in the sprint but I got swarmed and that was my day." Woods now sits tenth overall, alongside Porte, Poels, and Bennett in a group of 15 riders who are 21 seconds behind Bevin. The only two riders who are closer are Impey at seven seconds and Luis León Sánchez at 11 seconds. Saturday's stage 5 is likely to culminate in a bunch sprint, leaving the double ascent of Willunga Hill on the final day as the final showdown in the battle for the overall title. Southam praises his riders for aggressive racing You can read more at Cyclingnews.com.read full article

Source: Cycling News