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.
Romain Bardet, for his part, released more than two minutes. Wanting to avoid a collective fall 6 kilometers from the finish, he was struck by a runner who damaged his derailleur. He had to stop a little further to help out and couldn't get into the peloton.
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.
...
25. Bruno Armirail (FRA / FDJ) 0.
30. Marc Sarreau (FRA / FDJ) 0.
33. Kenny Elissonde (FRA / TRE) 0.
63. Clément Chevrier (FRA / ALM) 0.
64. Axel Domont (FRA / ALM) 2:23.
66. Romain Bardet (FRA / ALM) 2:23.
67. Geoffrey Bouchard (FRA / ALM) 2:23.
71. Mathias Le Turnier (FRA / COF) 2:23.
138. Mickaël Delage (FRA / FDJ) 13:47.
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.
...
16. Marc Sarreau (FRA / FDJ) 10.
31. Bruno Armirail (FRA / FDJ) 10.
43. Clément Chevrier (FRA / ALM) 10.
44. Kenny Elissonde (FRA / TRE) 10.
91. Romain Bardet (FRA / ALM) 2:33.
92. Axel Domont (FRA / ALM) 2:33.
94. Geoffrey Bouchard (FRA / ALM) 3:32.
139. Mickaël Delage (FRA / FDJ) 16:12.
© 2020 AFP