Sam Welsford of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe claimed victory on stage 1 of the Tour Down Under after launching his dash early and holding off his rivals. Welsford celebrated simply earlier than crossing the road, narrowly heading off Matthew Brennan (Visma-Lease A Bike), who completed half a wheel behind in second place.
Matthew Walls (Groupama-FDJ) was third.
Having gained three phases final 12 months, Sam Welsford was a marked rider, and his group was compelled to manage the entrance of the peloton for a lot of the stage. Red Bull’s Phil Maciejuk and Ben Zwiehoff saved the breakaway inside a manageable five-minute hole earlier than two different groups joined the trouble halfway by the stage, reeling within the two escapees with 23 kilometers remaining.
Once the pair was reeled in, Welsford slotted behind his leadout man Danny van Poppel within the peloton whereas the groups jostled for place on the entrance, earlier than launching his dash with 250 metres to go.
Welsford claims the primary ochre chief’s jersey of the 2025 Tour Down Under.
More to observe….
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