Tour Down Under 2017: Caleb Ewan wins stage three in dramatic sprint finish following crash
Updated
Australian cyclist Caleb Ewan has claimed his second stage victory of the Tour Down Under in a late surge to the finish at Victor Harbor, after a high-speed crash with only a few kilometres to go.
The Orica-Scott rider finished the 144-kilometre third stage just ahead of sprinter Peter Sagan, but race favourite Richie Porte retained his overall lead.
Porte remains 20 seconds ahead of nearest rival Gorka Izaguirre, who was left nursing a bloodied back and shoulder.
The Spaniard was caught up in a crash which marred the final kilometres of the stage, as several riders tumbled at 60 kilometres per hour.
Ewan said it was a tough day, with the peloton eventually overhauling a four-man breakaway with about 20 kilometres to go.
"We were going full gas," Ewan said.
"Unfortunately I lost a few of my teammates in the downhill part. It got really, really messy.
"It really took me probably three quarters of the race to get into it again."
TDU standings:
- Leader: Richie Porte (AUS)
- King of the Mountain: Richie Porte (AUS)
- Sprint jersey: Caleb Ewan (AUS)
- Young rider jersey: Ruben Guerreiro (POR)
Warm and humid conditions prevailed during the stage, with light rain falling on sections of the course.
Porte said strong winds also made it tough, but was relieved to get through unscathed.
"It's just nice to get through a stage like that. [I] was quite nervous and stressful all day," he said.
"There's just so much to lose on a stage like this and not a lot to gain."
Stage three took riders from Glenelg through the scenic Fleurieu Peninsula and McLaren Vale wine region.
It included a tough climb up Sellicks Hill and four laps of a 13-kilometre circuit around Victor Harbor, before a sprint finish in the seaside town.
Belgian rider Thomas de Gendt, who claimed the second sprint, and Frenchman Clement Chevrier were among the four-man breakaway which opened up a four-minute gap on the peloton.
Topics: cycling, sport, sa, adelaide-5000, victor-harbor-5211, glenelg-5045
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