In-form Australian sprinter Caleb Ewan made it three wins from four outings with another charging finish to claim stage four of the Tour Down Under in South Australia yesterday.
The Orica-Scott rider again showed great composure and skill to weave his way through the sprint finish at the end of 149 kilometres and leave world champion Peter Sagan in his wake for the second time in as many days.
Dutchman Danny van Poppel led the pair nearing the line, but as was the case
on stage three on Thursday, Ewan and Sagan grabbed him near the line and he finished third.
A brave breakaway bid by New Zealander Jack Bauer failed to come to fruition when he was reeled in by the peloton with just three kilometres remaining.
It was another productive day through the Adelaide hills for Tasmanian Richie Porte from BMC Racing, who worked well with his team and retained the overall lead.
He extended his margin by two seconds and is clearly the man to the beat for the General Classification.
Spaniard Gorka Izaguirre remains second, 20 seconds behind Porte despite being hurt in a fall on Thursday and treated in hospital. He still took his place for stage four and kept safe in the peloton.
Colombian Esteban Chaves, riding for Orica-Scott, is a further two seconds behind in third overall.
For Ewan, who won in three hours 45 minutes and 19 seconds, it’s been a near perfect start to the year.
“I really couldn’t have asked for a better start to the year,” he said.
“My team did an amazing job and they really backed me, they were committed to winning today. It was tough and I am happy to come away for the win.”
The early break came from Czech Ondrej Cink, Bauer and Australian Cam Meyer, and they appeared to be working well together.
Cink dropped off with just under 60 kilometres to go and the other two
riders shared the front wheel until Meyer dropped off about 30 kilometres from
the finish.
It was a decision which hurt Bauer, who was then forced to work solo but still led by 33 seconds with 20 kilometres remaining and battled on until the dying stages.
British Cycling chief Ian Drake leaves job
Ian Drake, the man who has presided over a golden era for British Cycling, stepped down as the governing body’s chief executive yesterday, three months earlier than planned. Drake, who has been involved with British Cycling for 20 years, the last eight as chief executive, announced in October that he would be leaving his post.
“British Cycling can confirm that Ian Drake has completed the handover phase following the announcement in October that he would be leaving the organisation,” a statement said.
“Consequently, Ian has been in discussions with the board of British Cycling with a view to leaving his role as chief executive earlier than planned. In recognition of the progress made, the board has agreed to allow Ian to step down with immediate effect.”
Despite another memorable year in 2016, with Chris Froome winning the Tour de France and Britain scooping 12 medals, including six golds, at the Rio Olympics, British Cycling’s image has taken a battering.
In April technical director Shane Sutton quit over allegations of sexist and discriminatory remarks, leading to an ongoing review by UK Sport into allegations of bullying in the governing body’s elite cycle programme.
British Cycling was also dragged into the controversy surrounding Team Sky’s use of Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) after cyber-hackers released details of medications taken by Froome and Bradley Wiggins.
UK Anti-Doping is also conducting an investigation into allegations of wrongdoing in British Cycling, including a package sent to Team Sky rider Wiggins at the 2011 Dauphine. British Cycling said it is cooperating fully with the investigations.
During Drake’s reign Britain has grown into a cycling powerhouse and amateur participation has increased massively.
Britain has won 22 gold medals in cycling at the past three Olympics. Wiggins became Britain’s first Tour de France winner in 2012 and Froome has won it three times since.
