VIDEO: Hay Truck Wipes Out Tour Down Under Finish Line
A truck loaded with hay accidentally destroyed the Tour Down Under finish line on the first stage of the women's race. Annette Edmondson (Wiggle High5) won the opening stage of the 2018 Santos Women’s Tour Down Under
In crazy footage, a truck, which mistakenly missed a diversion, drove through the start/finish line and took out the inflatable finish line. The truck is seen dragging the inflatable some distance before coming to a stop.
Luckily no one was hurt and by the time Australian cyclist Annette Edmondson made it over the finish line ahead of the rest of the field, the inflatable signage had been repaired and put back up.
Over 100 women took part in the opening stage, with the men's event to be held next week starting with a criterium on Sunday.
Annette Edmondson (Wiggle High5) has won the opening stage of the 2018 Santos Women’s Tour Down Under in a thrilling finish in the Adelaide Hills town of Gumeracha. Two time world champion Giorgia Bronzini (Cylance) was second with UniSA-Australia’s Lauretta Hanson third across the line at the end of the 115 kilometre stage out and back from Gumeracha.
Earlier in the day Rachel Neylan (UniSA-Australia) launched a solo bid for victory but she was caught two kilometres from home to set up a bunch sprint finish.
Temperatures topped 38 degrees but the Wiggle-Hi5 team handled the heat and the competition to set up Edmondson for the final sprint.
That was shaved back to 200m within the final two kilometres, making way for the anticipated bunch sprint to the line.
A crash near the final turn before the main street of Gumeracha made things interesting in the push to the line, but the leaders worked their way to the front for a fast finish.
“With about 20km to go, Rachel Neylan did a really good job [to stay in front], but we knew we’d have to work and put some girls in front with [Mitchelton],” Edmondson said.
“They [Cordon and Cure] did a really good job and worked their butts off… it was quite close and it came back.
“We had Rachele Barbieri and Macey Stewart who did a really good job in the final there, putting me into a really good position, and then I used the UniSA train to get to the line.”
Chloe Hosking (Ale Cipollini) claimed the first intermediate sprint from Edmondson and Norwegian rider Em Moberg but Edmondson’s stage win gives her the lead in the southaustralia.com sprinter’s competition.
Dutch rider Sabrina Stultiens, a former under-23 world road race champion, riding for the Waowdeals team has the lead in the Subaru Queen of the Mountain classification.
The world’s best are contesting four stages from Thursday to Sunday, with the event’s new UCI 2.1 ranking prompting longer, tougher race routes and additional new-season points on offer.
The peloton will head north of Gumeracha on Friday morning for a stage start in the Barossa – Lyndoch – which will weave its way through the iconic South Australian wine region before finishing on the famous Mengler Hill.
That will bring climbers to the fore, and is poised to change the dynamic of the race with a follow up hilltop finish in Stage 3 as well.
Annette Edmondson (AUS) – Wiggle-High5 3.08:53 (12 sec bonus)
Annette Edmondson (AUS) – Wiggle-High5 3.08:41
Santos Women’s Tour Down Under – Stage 1 results
Giorgia Bronzini (ITA) – Cylance +0.00.00 (6)
Lauretta Hanson (AUS) – UniSA-Australia +0.00.00 (4)
Sarah Roy (AUS) – Mitchelton-SCOTT +0.00.00
Emilie Moberg (NOR) – Team VirtuCycling +0.00.00 (1)
Chloe Hosking (AUS) – Ale Cippolini +0.00.00 (3)
Maria Vittoria Sperotto (ITA) – Be Pink +0.00.00
Kristina Clonan – (AUS) – TIS Racing +0.00.00
Barbara Guarischi (ITA) – Team VirtuCycling +0.00.00
Georgia Baker (AUS) – TIS Racing +0.00.00
Santos Women’s Tour Down Under – General Classification After Stage 1
Giorgia Bronzini (ITA) – Cylance +06 secs
Lauretta Hanson (AUS) – UniSA-Australia +08 secs
Chloe Hosking (AUS) – Ale Cippolini +09 secs
Emilie Moberg (NOR) – Team VirtuCycling +11 secs
Sarah Roy (AUS) – Mitchelton-SCOTT +12 secs
Maria Vittoria Sperotto (ITA) – Be Pink +12 secs
Kristina Clonan – (AUS) – TIS Racing +12 secs
Barbara Guarischi (ITA) – Team VirtuCycling +12 secs
Georgia Baker (AUS) – TIS Racing +0.00.00 +12 secs
VIDEO: Tour Down Under Women's Stage 1 Report