Cycling: Many spectators expected a duel between Chris Froome (Sky) and Esteban Chaves (Orica-Scott) on the 2nd stage of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour. However, it came very differently, because the two captains watched each other. Instead, they sent their teammates on the offensive. Damien Howson (Orica-Scott) beat Kenny Elissonde (Sky) on the final climb.
The big duel didn't happen
Since the 2nd stage from Wangaratta to Falls Creek over 174,2 kilometers was to end with a 20-kilometer climb, many experts expected a duel between Froome and Chaves. Instead, however, they saw a duel between their two teammates, Elissonde and Howson. When the final ascent began, both captains politely held back and sent their helpers on the attack. Anyone who expected that these would later simply serve as a relay station was mistaken. Because at the back of the peloton the pursuit just wasn't picked up.
Team Sky with a bitter defeat
So Elissonde and Howson drove up to the leaders together and then left Steve Lampier (JLT-Condor) quite simply. In the end, Howson proved to be the stronger man, while Elissonde was even caught by Jai Hindley (Australia national team). In the end, Elissonde lost a whopping 47 seconds. Chaves finished fifth, 1:10 back, with Froome a second behind in sixth. Team Sky gambled quite a bit today, which sporting director Brett Lancaster also had to admit.
Brett Lancaster: It's going to be tough to get more than a minute on Damien Howson. This is cycling. Froomey is one of the best drivers in the world. We won't give up."
