Jack Bobridge claims stage 1 of the Santos Tour Down Under from day-long break

ADELAIDE, Australia (CT) – The 132.6km stage began in the the town of Tanunda in South Australia’s Barossa Valley, taking in two laps of a 32km circuit through the famous wine region before heading south and then south-west towards Adelaide.

After coming together in the opening kilometres, the four escapees set about building an advantage over the main field which grew to 2:40 just before the first intermediate sprint of the day in Bethany after 32km. Bobridge took the five sprint points and three bonus seconds on offer while Westra was second (three points, two seconds) and Belkov was third (two points, one second).

In the peloton, Sky and Giant-Alpecin were taking responsibility for the chase while BMC brought a rider up to lend a hand as well.

The gap never got beyond 2:40 with the teams of the sprinters working hard to ensure that the opening stage of the race would finish in a bunch kick. The gap gradually started coming down, and by the time the four leaders reached the second intermediate sprint after 60km, also in Bethany, their lead was just 1:35.

Durbridge was first through the sprint point, followed by Belkov and Westra.

As the race made its way south towards Adelaide, the peloton kept the four leaders comfortably in check. After 77km of racing, and with a little less than 50km to go, the gap was down to 50 seconds. The gap came down even further, dropping to 35 seconds as the riders reached Williamstown with 40km remaining in the stage.

stage 1

But with the four leaders working hard together out front, the gap expanded to beyond a minute again on the approach to the day’s only categorised climb: the second-category Checker Hill which peaked with 28.5km left in the stage.

The four riders hit the base of the 1.6km climb together, working their way through an eerie landscape charred by recent bushfires. In the final few hundred metres of the climb Jack Bobridge pounced, and only Durbridge was able to respond. Bobridge crossed the KOM line first, taking the maximum 10 points on offer, followed by Durbridge (six points) and, a few seconds later by Westra (four points) and Belkov (two points).

Bobridge and Durbridge continued over the top alone, followed by Westra and Belkov while further down the road, the main field was being torn apart by the steep climb.

Westra and Belkov made contact with Durbridge and Bobridge with 26.3km to go and the gap was 1:15 to the main field. IAM Cycling had a rider at the front of the main field driving the pace, as too did Sky.

With 22km to go the hard work of the main field saw the breakaway riders’ advantage slashed to just 24 seconds, despite great cooperation from the lead quartet. On the famously scenic Gorge Road the four leaders had their advantage slashed to just 15 seconds with 13.3km remaining. A sprint finish looked all but certain.

But as the race twisted and turned its way towards the finish in Campbelltown, the advantage swung back in the direction of the four leaders, not least because of the local knowledge of Bobridge and Durbridge.

“I couldn’t even count how many times I’ve been along them roads. I’ve lived on them, trained on them my whole career,” Bobridge said after the stage. “I think today, with the cat-and-mouse game between the peloton and the breakaway, [local knowledge] was a massive advantage for sure.”

With 10km left to race the gap was back out to 25 seconds and with 8km remaining Etixx-Quick-Step had the peloton strung right out, chasing desperately to catch the escapees.

But on the largely downhill approach to the finish it seemed that the peloton had left the chase too late. Mark Renshaw told CyclingTips after the race that a lack of information about the time gap hindered his team’s chase.

“There was a lot of confusion — one minute we saw that break, the next minute …”, Renshaw told CyclingTips. “We didn’t have any radio communication really in the final so we missed the win.”

The final today wasn't really what we expected with such a strong breakaway staying away. In the end it was all about saving the GC here.

— Marcel Kittel (@marcelkittel) January 20, 2015

With 5.5km left to race the gap had blown back out to 40 seconds. Etixx-Quick-Step continued to drive the pace with one Giant-Alpecin rider lending a hand but it seemed likely at this point that the four leaders were going to steal an unlikely victory.

Some 3km before the finish the gap was still 40 seconds and the question became not, “will the peloton be caught?” but “who’s got the best sprint of the four leaders?”

Maxim Belkov attacked hard with 1.6km to go, opening up a small gap, but he was soon caught by Durbridge and then Bobridge and Westra. One kilometre from the finish all cooperation between the four leaders evaporated completely. They looked at each and at the road behind, where the Etixx-Quick-Step-led peloton was closing fast. But not fast enough.

Bobridge made his move with 250m to go, punching off the back of the lead group and opening a small gap. He said after the race that he’d learned his lesson from the road race at the Australia Road Nationals a week earlier, when he was in a similar situation coming into the finish.

“The week before in the road nationals I … probably went too early — if I look back now — with 500m to go. I didn’t want to make that mistake today,” Bobridge said.

“But sitting on the back of them guys and seeing that bunch coming at us at 100 mile an hour, I had to be pretty calm. I played it perfect today and timed it to perfection.”

stage1profile

In a desperate dash for the line the South Australian managed to hold off his breakaway companions and the fast-finishing peloton, all of whom finished with the same time. The win is Bobridge’s first at the Santos Tour Down Under and with it comes the ochre jersey of the overall race leader.

“I’ve been here five times … but to actually pull a stage off, and the first stage, to wear the ochre jersey tomorrow, is one of my dreams come true,” Bobridge said. “Being South Australian, on home soil, I don’t think it can get any better.”

Bobridge came into the Santos Tour Down Under hoping for a good hit-out before his attempt at the world hour record on January 31, but will his efforts to defend the ochre jersey leave him too fatigued to give the record his best shot?

“I’ve raced this race full-gas before, every stage, and I have been tired for a week after,” Bobridge said. “But the way I look at it, if you’re in the leader’s jersey here there’s no [choice] but to defend it.”

“We’ll obviously have to see what plays out for the rest of the week. I’ll go 110% to defend [the overall lead] with the guys here and then next week I guess it’s all about the best recovery strategy possible going into the hour”.

Bobridge also leads the sprint classification going into stage 2 (although Lieuwe Westra will wear the jersey tomorrow) as well as the KOM classification (Belkov will wear the polka dots). Luke Durbridge was crowned the most competitive rider and the best young rider.

Bobridge’s victory also sees UniSA-Australia lead the teams classification. UniSA-Australia team manager Dave Sanders said after the race that the plan had been to get a rider in the breakaway to chase bonus seconds. The plan only grew from there.

“[We went in the break] with the hope of bonus points from the [sprint] classifications, which we did, and then hopefully chase the KOM jersey, which we did,” Sanders said.

“And then there’s a slim chance, when there’s a downhill run into the finish, if they give you a bit of rope and you gas it for that last 15km, there’s a chance of staying away.

“We discussed that and they timed it right and tucked the ears back and got there. I’m pretty happy with that effort.”

Stage 2 of the 2015 Santos Tour Down Under takes the riders 150.5km from the Adelaide suburb of Unley to the town of Stirling in the Adelaide Hills. It’s a lumpy stage with an early climb up the Basket Range and uphill finish that will suit the fast-finishers who can handle the uphill grades.

Photo gallery

: Newly signed Orica-GreenEdge recruit Alex Edmondson signs on for the start of stage 1. He’s riding for the UniSA-Australia national team.

: The national champion’s jersey of IAM Cycling’s Heinrich Haussler.

: Marcel Kittel is always a fan favourite …

: Cameron Meyer won the Tour Down Under back in 2011. Expect to see him riding for GC later this week in the absence of the injured Simon Gerrans.

: Richie Porte will be one of the favourites for the race overall …

: … along with Cadel Evans who is sporting a custom-painted BMC in honour of his final WorldTour race.

: Cadel’s BMC paint job has a nod to indigenous Australian art …

: … as well as the comic character Tin Tin, a favourite of Evans’ as a child.

: Lieuwe Westra (Astana) got the day’s breakaway started, and was joined by Luke Durbridge (Orica-GreenEdge), Maxim Belkov (Katusha) and Jack Bobridge (UniSA-Australia).

: The peloton tackles the day’s only classified climb: Checker Hill. Recent bushfires in the area made for an eerie sight as the race passed through.

: Team Sky did a lot of work on the front of the peloton, controlling the break’s advantage.

: Cadel Evans is in his last WorldTour race …

: … and will be looking to improve on his second place overall last year.

: Fans wait for the riders to arrive at the finish in Campbelltown.

: Jack Bobridge appeared to be struggling in the closing stages of the race …

: … but pounced in the final 250m to take his first ever win in the Santos Tour Down Under.

: Luke Durbridge won the best young rider’s jersey on the opening stage, as well as the most competitive rider award.

: Jack Bobridge not only leads the general classification after the first stage, he also leads the KOM classification and the points classification.

Go to: Stage 1

Santos Tour Down Under

Stage 1

: Tanunda > Campbelltown

Tuesday 20th January (2015)

Classification: 2.UWT

Category: Int. Men

Distance: 132.6km

Stage Result

1.	BOBRIDGE Jack Team Budget Forklifts	02:59:44
2.	WESTRA Lieuwe Astana Pro Team	-
3.	DURBRIDGE Luke Orica GreenEDGE	-
4.	BELKOV Maxim Team Katusha	-
5.	BONIFAZIO Niccolo Lampre - Merida	-
6.	MEERSMAN Gianni Etixx - Quick Step	-
7.	LOBATO Juan José Movistar Team	-
8.	HAUSSLER Heinrich IAM Cycling	-
9.	VON HOFF Steele NFTO	-
10.	IMPEY Daryl Orica GreenEDGE	-
11.	DUMOULIN Samuel AG2R La Mondiale	-
12.	GESCHKE Simon Team Giant - Alpecin	-
13.	MANZIN Lorrenzo FDJ	-
14.	ALAFACI Eugenio Trek Factory Racing	-
15.	HAAS Nathan Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
16.	MARKUS Barry Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
17.	SCOTSON Miles	-
18.	TANNER David IAM Cycling	-
19.	TSATEVICH Alexey Team Katusha	-
20.	EVANS Cadel BMC Racing Team	-
21.	SANCHEZ Luis Leon Astana Pro Team	-
22.	IZAGIRRE Gorka Movistar Team	-
23.	HAIG Jack	-
24.	COLEDAN Marco Trek Factory Racing	-
25.	DILLIER Silvan BMC Racing Team	-
26.	PORTE Richie Team Sky	-
27.	WIPPERT Wouter Drapac Professional Cycling	-
28.	HANSEN Adam Lotto Soudal	-
29.	THOMAS Geraint Team Sky	-
30.	HENDERSON Gregory Lotto Soudal	-
31.	DE VREESE Laurens Astana Pro Team	-
32.	KITTEL Marcel Team Giant - Alpecin	-
33.	TLEUBAYEV Ruslan Astana Pro Team	-
34.	HERRADA José Movistar Team	-
35.	HAYMAN Mathew Orica GreenEDGE	-
36.	HAGA Chad Team Giant - Alpecin	-
37.	BENNETT George Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
38.	BéRARD Julien AG2R La Mondiale	-
39.	HANSEN Jesper Tinkoff - Saxo	-
40.	DUMOULIN Tom Team Giant - Alpecin	-
41.	MACHADO Tiago Team Katusha	-
42.	WATSON Calvin Trek Factory Racing	-
43.	FERNANDEZ Ruben Movistar Team	-
44.	ROGERS Michael Tinkoff - Saxo	-
45.	CAPECCHI Eros Movistar Team	-
46.	SUTTON Chris Team Sky	-
47.	ZAUGG Oliver Tinkoff - Saxo	-
48.	MORI Manuele Lampre - Merida	-
49.	ROOSEN Timo Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
50.	LAGUTIN Sergey Team Katusha	-
51.	EDMONDSON Alexander	-
52.	JEANNESSON Arnold FDJ	-
53.	CLARKE Simon Orica GreenEDGE	-
54.	GRMAY Tsgabu Lampre - Merida	-
55.	ISAYCHEV Vladimir Team Katusha	-
56.	KLUGE Roger IAM Cycling	-
57.	MEYER Travis Drapac Professional Cycling	-
58.	REYNES MIMO Vicente IAM Cycling	-
59.	ELMIGER Martin IAM Cycling	-
60.	DE GENDT Thomas Lotto Soudal	-
61.	LASTRAS Pablo Movistar Team	-
62.	ROULSTON Hayden Trek Factory Racing	-
63.	DENNIS Rohan BMC Racing Team	-
64.	PANTANO GOMEZ Jarlinson IAM Cycling	-
65.	LINDEMAN Bert-Jan Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
66.	ROY Jérémy FDJ	-
67.	MALACARNE Davide Astana Pro Team	-
68.	BOUET Maxime Etixx - Quick Step	-
69.	JUUL-JENSEN Christopher Tinkoff - Saxo	-
70.	ROE Thimothy Drapac Professional Cycling	-
71.	MOSER Moreno Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
72.	MEYER Cameron Orica GreenEDGE	-
73.	HOWES Alex Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
74.	LE GAC Olivier FDJ	-
75.	CATALDO Dario Astana Pro Team	-
76.	PINEAU Cédric FDJ	-
77.	DE LA CRUZ MELGAREJO David Etixx - Quick Step	-
78.	STANNARD Ian Team Sky	-
79.	DIDIER Laurent Trek Factory Racing	-
80.	KEIZER Martijn Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
81.	BOOM Lars Astana Pro Team	-
82.	STETINA Peter BMC Racing Team	-
83.	FLENS Rick Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
84.	POZZOVIVO Domenico AG2R La Mondiale	-
85.	POWER Robert	-
86.	WYSS Danilo BMC Racing Team	-
87.	KADRI Blel AG2R La Mondiale	-
88.	VEIKKANEN Jussi FDJ	-
89.	BAK Lars Ytting Lotto Soudal	-
90.	HESJEDAL Ryder Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
91.	SELIG Rüdiger Team Katusha	-
92.	DURASEK Kristijan Lampre - Merida	-
93.	DOMONT Axel AG2R La Mondiale	-
94.	CARUSO Giampaolo Team Katusha	-
95.	NORMAN HANSEN Lasse Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
96.	VILLELLA Davide Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
97.	CLEMENT Stef IAM Cycling	-
98.	VELITS Martin Etixx - Quick Step	-
99.	BOARO Manuele Tinkoff - Saxo	-
100.	MC CONNELL Daniel Trek Factory Racing	-
101.	SERRY Pieter Etixx - Quick Step	-
102.	KENNAUGH Peter Team Sky	-
103.	VAN DER PLOEG Neil Avanti Racing Team	-
104.	CIMOLAI Davide Lampre - Merida	-
105.	BEWLEY Sam Orica GreenEDGE	-
106.	RENSHAW Mark Etixx - Quick Step	0:17
107.	SANZ Enrique Movistar Team	-
108.	BAUER Jack Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
109.	CLARKE William Drapac Professional Cycling	-
110.	FLAKEMORE Campbell BMC Racing Team	0:23
111.	CHAVANEL Sébastien FDJ	-
112.	DEHAES Kenny Lotto Soudal	0:25
113.	TIMMER Albert Team Giant - Alpecin	-
114.	LAMPAERT Yves Etixx - Quick Step	0:37
115.	TJALLINGII Maarten Team LottoNL-Jumbo	0:44
116.	BONO Matteo Lampre - Merida	0:46
117.	DE KORT Koen Team Giant - Alpecin	0:59
118.	SCHAR Michael BMC Racing Team	-
119.	DOCKX Gert Lotto Soudal	1:09
120.	BROWN Graeme Drapac Professional Cycling	1:28
121.	BRUTT Pavel Tinkoff - Saxo	2:08
122.	PUCCIO Salvatore Team Sky	5:40
123.	KOHLER Martin Drapac Professional Cycling	-
124.	HEPBURN Michael Orica GreenEDGE	-
125.	ROWE Luke Team Sky	-
126.	GOUGEARD Alexis AG2R La Mondiale	6:11
127.	NIZZOLO Giacomo Trek Factory Racing	-
128.	VALLéE Boris Lotto Soudal	-
129.	FERRARI Roberto Lampre - Merida	-
130.	RIBLON Christophe AG2R La Mondiale	-
131.	KERBY Jordan Drapac Professional Cycling	-
132.	KOLAR Michael Tinkoff - Saxo	8:36
133.	CRADDOCK Lawson Team Giant - Alpecin	10:50

General Classification

1.	BOBRIDGE Jack Team Budget Forklifts	02:59:31
2.	WESTRA Lieuwe Astana Pro Team	0:04
3.	DURBRIDGE Luke Orica GreenEDGE	0:06
4.	BELKOV Maxim Team Katusha	0:10
5.	BONIFAZIO Niccolo Lampre - Merida	0:13
6.	MEERSMAN Gianni Etixx - Quick Step	-
7.	LOBATO Juan José Movistar Team	-
8.	HAUSSLER Heinrich IAM Cycling	-
9.	VON HOFF Steele NFTO	-
10.	IMPEY Daryl Orica GreenEDGE	-
11.	DUMOULIN Samuel AG2R La Mondiale	-
12.	GESCHKE Simon Team Giant - Alpecin	-
13.	MANZIN Lorrenzo FDJ	-
14.	ALAFACI Eugenio Trek Factory Racing	-
15.	HAAS Nathan Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
16.	MARKUS Barry Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
17.	SCOTSON Miles	-
18.	TANNER David IAM Cycling	-
19.	TSATEVICH Alexey Team Katusha	-
20.	EVANS Cadel BMC Racing Team	-
21.	SANCHEZ Luis Leon Astana Pro Team	-
22.	IZAGIRRE Gorka Movistar Team	-
23.	HAIG Jack	-
24.	COLEDAN Marco Trek Factory Racing	-
25.	DILLIER Silvan BMC Racing Team	-
26.	PORTE Richie Team Sky	-
27.	WIPPERT Wouter Drapac Professional Cycling	-
28.	HANSEN Adam Lotto Soudal	-
29.	THOMAS Geraint Team Sky	-
30.	HENDERSON Gregory Lotto Soudal	-
31.	DE VREESE Laurens Astana Pro Team	-
32.	KITTEL Marcel Team Giant - Alpecin	-
33.	TLEUBAYEV Ruslan Astana Pro Team	-
34.	HERRADA José Movistar Team	-
35.	HAYMAN Mathew Orica GreenEDGE	-
36.	HAGA Chad Team Giant - Alpecin	-
37.	BENNETT George Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
38.	BéRARD Julien AG2R La Mondiale	-
39.	HANSEN Jesper Tinkoff - Saxo	-
40.	DUMOULIN Tom Team Giant - Alpecin	-
41.	MACHADO Tiago Team Katusha	-
42.	WATSON Calvin Trek Factory Racing	-
43.	FERNANDEZ Ruben Movistar Team	-
44.	ROGERS Michael Tinkoff - Saxo	-
45.	CAPECCHI Eros Movistar Team	-
46.	SUTTON Chris Team Sky	-
47.	ZAUGG Oliver Tinkoff - Saxo	-
48.	MORI Manuele Lampre - Merida	-
49.	ROOSEN Timo Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
50.	LAGUTIN Sergey Team Katusha	-
51.	EDMONDSON Alexander	-
52.	JEANNESSON Arnold FDJ	-
53.	CLARKE Simon Orica GreenEDGE	-
54.	GRMAY Tsgabu Lampre - Merida	-
55.	ISAYCHEV Vladimir Team Katusha	-
56.	KLUGE Roger IAM Cycling	-
57.	MEYER Travis Drapac Professional Cycling	-
58.	REYNES MIMO Vicente IAM Cycling	-
59.	ELMIGER Martin IAM Cycling	-
60.	DE GENDT Thomas Lotto Soudal	-
61.	LASTRAS Pablo Movistar Team	-
62.	ROULSTON Hayden Trek Factory Racing	-
63.	DENNIS Rohan BMC Racing Team	-
64.	PANTANO GOMEZ Jarlinson IAM Cycling	-
65.	LINDEMAN Bert-Jan Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
66.	ROY Jérémy FDJ	-
67.	MALACARNE Davide Astana Pro Team	-
68.	BOUET Maxime Etixx - Quick Step	-
69.	JUUL-JENSEN Christopher Tinkoff - Saxo	-
70.	ROE Thimothy Drapac Professional Cycling	-
71.	MOSER Moreno Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
72.	MEYER Cameron Orica GreenEDGE	-
73.	HOWES Alex Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
74.	LE GAC Olivier FDJ	-
75.	CATALDO Dario Astana Pro Team	-
76.	PINEAU Cédric FDJ	-
77.	DE LA CRUZ MELGAREJO David Etixx - Quick Step	-
78.	STANNARD Ian Team Sky	-
79.	DIDIER Laurent Trek Factory Racing	-
80.	KEIZER Martijn Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
81.	BOOM Lars Astana Pro Team	-
82.	STETINA Peter BMC Racing Team	-
83.	FLENS Rick Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
84.	POZZOVIVO Domenico AG2R La Mondiale	-
85.	POWER Robert	-
86.	WYSS Danilo BMC Racing Team	-
87.	KADRI Blel AG2R La Mondiale	-
88.	VEIKKANEN Jussi FDJ	-
89.	BAK Lars Ytting Lotto Soudal	-
90.	HESJEDAL Ryder Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
91.	SELIG Rüdiger Team Katusha	-
92.	DURASEK Kristijan Lampre - Merida	-
93.	DOMONT Axel AG2R La Mondiale	-
94.	CARUSO Giampaolo Team Katusha	-
95.	NORMAN HANSEN Lasse Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
96.	VILLELLA Davide Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
97.	CLEMENT Stef IAM Cycling	-
98.	VELITS Martin Etixx - Quick Step	-
99.	BOARO Manuele Tinkoff - Saxo	-
100.	MC CONNELL Daniel Trek Factory Racing	-
101.	SERRY Pieter Etixx - Quick Step	-
102.	KENNAUGH Peter Team Sky	-
103.	VAN DER PLOEG Neil Avanti Racing Team	-
104.	CIMOLAI Davide Lampre - Merida	-
105.	BEWLEY Sam Orica GreenEDGE	-
106.	RENSHAW Mark Etixx - Quick Step	0:30
107.	SANZ Enrique Movistar Team	-
108.	BAUER Jack Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
109.	CLARKE William Drapac Professional Cycling	-
110.	FLAKEMORE Campbell BMC Racing Team	0:36
111.	CHAVANEL Sébastien FDJ	-
112.	DEHAES Kenny Lotto Soudal	0:38
113.	TIMMER Albert Team Giant - Alpecin	-
114.	LAMPAERT Yves Etixx - Quick Step	0:50
115.	TJALLINGII Maarten Team LottoNL-Jumbo	0:57
116.	BONO Matteo Lampre - Merida	0:59
117.	DE KORT Koen Team Giant - Alpecin	1:12
118.	SCHAR Michael BMC Racing Team	-
119.	DOCKX Gert Lotto Soudal	1:22
120.	BROWN Graeme Drapac Professional Cycling	1:41
121.	BRUTT Pavel Tinkoff - Saxo	2:21
122.	PUCCIO Salvatore Team Sky	5:53
123.	KOHLER Martin Drapac Professional Cycling	-
124.	HEPBURN Michael Orica GreenEDGE	-
125.	ROWE Luke Team Sky	-
126.	GOUGEARD Alexis AG2R La Mondiale	6:24
127.	NIZZOLO Giacomo Trek Factory Racing	-
128.	VALLéE Boris Lotto Soudal	-
129.	FERRARI Roberto Lampre - Merida	-
130.	RIBLON Christophe AG2R La Mondiale	-
131.	KERBY Jordan Drapac Professional Cycling	-
132.	KOLAR Michael Tinkoff - Saxo	8:49
133.	CRADDOCK Lawson Team Giant - Alpecin	11:03

Mountains Classification

1.	BOBRIDGE Jack Team Budget Forklifts	10
2.	DURBRIDGE Luke Orica GreenEDGE	6
3.	WESTRA Lieuwe Astana Pro Team	4
4.	BELKOV Maxim Team Katusha	2

Points Classification

1.	BOBRIDGE Jack Team Budget Forklifts	20
2.	WESTRA Lieuwe Astana Pro Team	19
3.	DURBRIDGE Luke Orica GreenEDGE	18
4.	BELKOV Maxim Team Katusha	17
5.	BONIFAZIO Niccolo Lampre - Merida	11
6.	MEERSMAN Gianni Etixx - Quick Step	10
7.	LOBATO Juan José Movistar Team	9
8.	HAUSSLER Heinrich IAM Cycling	8
9.	VON HOFF Steele NFTO	7
10.	IMPEY Daryl Orica GreenEDGE	6

Youth Classification

1.	DURBRIDGE Luke Orica GreenEDGE	02:59:37
2.	BONIFAZIO Niccolo Lampre - Merida	0:07
3.	MANZIN Lorrenzo FDJ	-
4.	ALAFACI Eugenio Trek Factory Racing	-
5.	MARKUS Barry Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
6.	SCOTSON Miles	-
7.	HAIG Jack	-
8.	DILLIER Silvan BMC Racing Team	-
9.	WIPPERT Wouter Drapac Professional Cycling	-
10.	BENNETT George Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
11.	HANSEN Jesper Tinkoff - Saxo	-
12.	DUMOULIN Tom Team Giant - Alpecin	-
13.	WATSON Calvin Trek Factory Racing	-
14.	FERNANDEZ Ruben Movistar Team	-
15.	ROOSEN Timo Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
16.	EDMONDSON Alexander	-
17.	GRMAY Tsgabu Lampre - Merida	-
18.	DENNIS Rohan BMC Racing Team	-
19.	MOSER Moreno Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
20.	LE GAC Olivier FDJ	-
21.	POWER Robert	-
22.	DOMONT Axel AG2R La Mondiale	-
23.	NORMAN HANSEN Lasse Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
24.	VILLELLA Davide Team Cannondale - Garmin	-
25.	FLAKEMORE Campbell BMC Racing Team	0:30
26.	LAMPAERT Yves Etixx - Quick Step	0:44
27.	HEPBURN Michael Orica GreenEDGE	5:47
28.	ROWE Luke Team Sky	-
29.	GOUGEARD Alexis AG2R La Mondiale	6:18
30.	VALLéE Boris Lotto Soudal	-
31.	KERBY Jordan Drapac Professional Cycling	-
32.	KOLAR Michael Tinkoff - Saxo	8:43
33.	CRADDOCK Lawson Team Giant - Alpecin	10:57

Teams Classification

1.	UniSA-Australia	08:59:12
2.	Orica GreenEDGE	-
3.	Astana Pro Team	-
4.	Movistar Team	-
5.	Team Katusha	-
6.	Team Giant - Alpecin	-
7.	Trek Factory Racing	-
8.	IAM Cycling	-
9.	Team Sky	-
10.	Team LottoNL-Jumbo	-
11.	Lampre - Merida	-
12.	BMC Racing Team	-
13.	Lotto Soudal	-
14.	Tinkoff - Saxo	-
15.	FDJ	-
16.	AG2R La Mondiale	-
17.	Etixx - Quick Step	-
18.	Drapac Professional Cycling	-
19.	Team Cannondale - Garmin	-

jmsbar

Great racing and Bobridge’s form and confidence are running hot just in time for that hour record.
Also well done for getting the results and photos up so quick.
Bracksy

If Cadel wins the TDU, I’ll deliver those Boras that I promised back in 2011…
- Dave
  
  The Campy wheels or the German kitchen appliances?
- Abdu
  
  No one’s listening anymore little man…you need to get a new line of annoyance.
echidna_sg

AND the live stream on WWOS works overseas!
- Sean
  
  It did? I didn’t even check locally today, perhaps they outsourced the work to people who aren’t retards.
lefthandside

Wow - thanks for the great write-up. I was on the edge of my seat reading this as I woke up this morning. Ironic to be hanging out for news of Pro Tour races from the other side of the world, now that I’m in Europe, but there you go. Fantastic win by Bobridge - but the break must have worked amazingly well so props to all of them really
- Dave
  
  Durbridge got the Most Competitive award, and the other two also worked pretty hard.
  - http://cyclingtips.com.au Matt de Neef
    
    The four leaders seemed to work really well together I thought.
    - Dave
      
      Pursuiters do it better ;-)
Deryck Walker

Looks like a year for aussie riders to break their hoodoo, first heinrich, niw jackybobby. Very exciting stuff.

Ps, lol at the pic of the peleton with all the riders in the background having a natural break facing directly towards the photographer.
- Sean
  
  pisser of a pic!
  - Dave
    
    Felt quite relieved once I’d scrolled past that one.
    - a different ben
      
      It gave me a little shiver.
winkybiker

Didn’t see any of it, but sounds like it was an excellent stage. Evans’ new bike is gorgeous.
- purpletezza
  
  yes the white BMC does look so much better than the black/red BMC colours.
Michael Sproul

What’s occuring with race radios, have the teams followed the rule for 2015? Great to see a break win, only wished I could have watched it on TV. Lovely write up though and some awesome pictures!
- Dave
  
  UCI has deferred the radio ban yet again.
  
  I would like to see that ban brought in, and in-race usage of power meters with readable displays also banned (but recording-only power meters allowed for future analysis as in track racing).
  - Michele
    
    Don’t get me started on Race Radio.
    
    My favourite TDU / Race radio moment occurred with Astana / Allan Davis a few years ago [when Alby was the defending TDU champion].
    
    Every team, except Astana used race radios. Opening stage, and the peloton is climbing Mengler Hill. Davis has a mechanical, the rest of his team are oblivious to the fact and assume he’s in the main group. They find out that’s not the case a few kms later as they start forming their sprint train for the run into Angaston.
    
    At the time Astana came out with a lame excuse for why they weren’t using them. Can’t remember exactly why, but it might have been because of concerns with their luggage limits, i.e. the excuse didn’t wash.
    
    I’m with you Dave, bring the ban in. Riders can have a radio for safety measures, but the only people able to communicate on it are riders and the race commissionaire.
    
    Or if the riders are hell-bent on keeping race radio, then let them - for races being broadcast live on TV. However, the RR is open to the public and can be broadcasted [much like in F1].
    - Dave
      
      It shouldn’t be too hard for the radios to be allowed under new regulations, but restricted as to who can use them. This would be simple stuff for the global electronics industry.
      
      Allow the riders to receive the tour radio from the race organisation, allow the riders to talk to the team cars (e.g. request service, report a crash etc) or press a panic button, but don’t allow the team cars to talk back to the riders. This completely embraces the safety advantages of having the radios, while also eliminating the ‘rider aid’ problem - think how much better this setup would have worked for GreenWedge in 2013 or the Stelvio fiasco last year!
Dave

Did Oleg hit Wade with some grievous insult at breakfast this morning? Only in two of the photos can I spot a Sinkoff-Taxo rider and only ever hidden in the background!
nicklothian

Pretty sure Bobridge is racing as part of Team UniSA, not Budget Forklift. Steele Von Hoff as well (not NFTO).
- http://cyclingtips.com.au Matt de Neef
  
  You’re right, of course. Those results are pulled in from ProCyclingStats. which just lists the rider’s main team throughout the year.
melbin rider

Mark Renshaw told CyclingTips after the race that a lack of information about the time gap hindered his team’s chase.

“There was a lot of confusion — one minute we saw that break, the next minute …”, Renshaw told CyclingTips. “We didn’t have any radio communication really in the final so we missed the win.”

… and good racing and great viewing was had by all. Please UCI, do what is right with these bloody radios.
- Dave
  
  The spokesman from Team UniSA declined to comment on the remarks of Mr Renshaw, citing a lack of available time due to the imminent arrival of staff from the university’s Institute of Telecommunications Research for the stage win after-party.