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Tour Down Under #5: Nizzolo wins exciting stage, Impey conquers Ocher

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Impey Nizzolo Tour Down Under

Cycling: On an extremely exciting and eventful fifth stage of the Tour Down Under, Giacomo Nizzolo (NTT) secured the day's victory ahead of Simone Consonni (Cofidis) and Sam Bennett (Deceuninck - Quick-Step). The result in the mass sprint should not have any impact on the top positions in the overall standings. But already on the way to the destination, the ocher jersey changed hands. Daryl Impey (Mitchelton - Scott) unbuttoned it from Richie Porte (Trek - Segafredo) thanks to two intermediate ratings.

Impey Nizzolo Tour Down Under Stage 5

Daryl Impey vs Mads Pedersen

Despite a profile that wasn't too difficult, the pros couldn't rest on the 149,1-kilometer fifth stage of the Tour Down Under. Right after the start in Glenelg the race got fast. On the one hand, some teams wanted to install riders in the leading group. On the other hand, the Mitchelton-Scott team was particularly interested in keeping the peloton together up to the two sprint classifications.

Much to the delight of Captain Daryl Impey (Mitchelton – Scott) this should finally succeed. But it wasn't easy for the South African champion in the interim classifications at McLaren Flat and Meadows. Because even if Leader Richie porte (Trek – Segafredo) did not personally get involved in the battle for the bonus seconds, he sent in person Mads pedersen (Trek – Segafredo) none other than the reigning world champion entered the race.

And he was actually able to win the first fight. At the second meeting, however, he drew the short straw. But that was enough for Daryl Impey. Five seconds of time bonus meant the virtual lead in the overall standings with a previous gap of three seconds!

The group is only 60 km from the finish

After the two sprint classifications, the peloton could have calmed down. But it was not until late that people really agreed on who to fill the breakaway group. And the name popped up again Mads pedersen (Trek – Segafredo) on. The world champion wasn't ready to put his feet up after the two intermediate sprints. Together with Ian Stannard (Ineos) Ide Schelling (Bora – hansgrohe) and Josef cerny (CCC) he formed the group of the day.

Behind them, a duo from UniSA-Australia tried to establish contact with the leading quartet for a long time. But the venture was doomed to failure. After a hard fight had to do that too Samual Jenner and Sam Welsford admit it - and let yourself fall back into the peloton.

And finally the sprinters cheer

Although they endured much longer in the wind, the other escapees had to admit defeat up the 5,9 percent steep Kerby Hill. Especially Mitchelton - Scott and Astana were interested in making the race as difficult as possible with 20,0 kilometers to go - and they managed to do it much more impressively than expected before the start of the stage.

Only eleven riders remained in the first group when crossing the mountain classification. But not only the sprinters were all distanced - also the helpers. The strongest climbers looked at each other on the descent and didn't really know how to deal with this situation. Although they more or less came to an agreement, a group about 30 seconds behind managed to reconnect in the flat.

So the expected mass sprint did take place at the finish in Victor Harbor – but with an unexpected result. Because he secured the day's victory James Nizzolo (NTT) then rather an outsider among the fast men. Much to the delight of team boss Bjarne Riis, who can celebrate his first victory in the WorldTour after his return. Second place secured Simone Consonni (Cofidis) before Sam Bennett (Deceuninck - Quick Step).

Tags:Daryl ImpeyIan StannardIde SchellingJosef cernyMads pedersenNewsSam WelsfordSamual JennerTower Down Under

More than Michael Behringer

Cycling with all its tactics, stage analyses, placements and forecasts are Michael Behringer's great passion. In 1996 he tracked his first Tour de France. Since then he has observed almost every race. His passion for cycling has been with him for over two decades. There is no end in sight.