Adelaide (Australia) (AFP)
Caleb Ewan in force: the Australian Lotto-Soudal won the second stage of the Tour Down Under on Wednesday and takes the lead in the general classification.
The sprinter, winner of three stages in the last Tour de France, won the final climb at the end of the 135.8 km stage between Woodside and Sterling, around Adelaide, in southern Australia.
South African Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott), double title holder, comes second in the stage, ahead of Australian Nathan Haas, who completes the podium.
Overall, Ewan takes the lead, ahead of Irishman Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quick Step), winner of the first stage, and Impey, third within a second.
Impey got closer with a six second bonus.
Several runners fell in the last two kilometers, including Elia Viviani (Cofidis), Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) and especially Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott), hit a knee and who has to decide whether or not to continue the race .
The classification of the 2nd stage:
1. Caleb Ewan (AUS / LOT) the 135.8 km in 3 h 27:31.
(average: 39.4 km / h)
2. Daryl Impey (RSA / MIT) at 0.
3. Nathan Haas (AUS / COF) 0.
4. Jasper Philipsen (BEL / UAE) 0.
5. Fabio Felline (ITA / AST) 0.
6. Andrea Vendrame (ITA / ALM) 0.
7. Timo Roosen (NED / JUM) 0.
8. Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP / AST) 0.
9. Diego Ulissi (ITA / UAE) 0.
10. George Bennett (NZL / JUM) 0.
The general classification:
1. Caleb Ewan (AUS / Lotto) 6:56:15 a.m.
2. Sam Bennett (IRL / DEC) at 0.
3. Daryl Impey (RSA / MIT) 1.
4. Jasper Philipsen (BEL / UAE) 4.
5. Nathan Haas (AUS / COF) 5.
6. Jarrod Drizners (AUS / AUS) 7.
7. Dylan Sunderland (AUS / DDT) 8.
8. Christopher Lawless (GBR / INE) 8.
9. Jay McCarthy (AUS / BOR) 8.
10. George Bennett (NZL / JUM) 9.
© 2020 AFP