Thomas channels Lions rugby to take Tour lead
When Geraint Thomas awoke for the start of the Tour de France in Düsseldorf on Saturday, the Welshman's mind was half a world away – in New Zealand.
Rupert Guinness is a Sports Reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald
When Geraint Thomas awoke for the start of the Tour de France in Düsseldorf on Saturday, the Welshman's mind was half a world away – in New Zealand.
Australian Tour de France contender Richie Porte and his team have rehearsed an emergency response plan to handle potentially race-ruining mechanicals.
As Richie Porte stood before the cameras on Tour de France eve, taking note nearby was Cadel Evans.
Rory Sutherland is deep in the zone. He has been pedalling at the front of the peloton in the Giro d'Italia kilometre after kilometre. In his wake is a line of Movistar teammates, including the Colombian Nairo Quintana, his team leader and a favourite in this 100th Giro.
Caleb Ewan is sitting in the shade on the steps of his team bus after another hot day in the saddle at the Giro d'Italia. Shirtless, but still in his cycling shorts, frustration is written all over his sweat-matted face.
Richie Porte has found the "absolute number one lieutenant" in fellow Australian Rohan Dennis for his Tour de France campaign this year and beyond, believes his BMC team sporting manager Allan Peiper.
Caleb Ewan's victory in the final stage of the Tour Down Under in Adelaide shored up a remarkable Australian domination of the World Tour race.
The pain Simon Gerrans endured to win the Tour Down Under for a record fourth time was a world away from how he felt this time last year when he had to miss the World Tour opener due to a broken collarbone.
Simon Gerrans will start the final stage of the Tour Down Under in Adelaide virtually assured of a record fourth overall victory, after surviving a last-ditch assault on his lead on Saturday by Richie Porte, who created his own piece of history by becoming the first rider to win the stage to Willunga Hill three times – let alone a hat-trick.
The decision by the teams of Tour de France champion Chris Froome and world champion Peter Sagan to miss the Tour Down Under for smaller races was "odd" and "not helpful" respectively, said Union Cycliste International president Brian Cookson.
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