Cycling: The first WorldTour race of the 2024 season goes to Sam Welsford. In the mass sprint in Tanunda, the Australian was able to prevail in his home country ahead of Phil Bauhaus from Germany and Biniam Girmay from Eritrea. This means he wins his first race for the German racing team Bora – Hansgrohe. His leadout man Danny van Poppel played a big part in this.
Sam Welsford sprints to his opening victory in Tanunda
This is how you can start the season for your new employer: Sam Welsford (Bora – hansgrohe) won the first stage of the Tour Down Under. The Australian confidently completed the strong preparatory work of his teammates and thus took the lead in the overall standings. The German completes the podium in Tanunda Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain – Victorious) and the Eritrean Biniam Girmay (Intermarché – Wanty). The opening stage of the Tour Down Under presented hardly any difficulties for the riders. Although Menglers Hill had to be crossed three times, this small hill was not intended to cause any selection at the start of the season. As expected, the 3 kilometer long section with start and finish in Tanunda ended in a mass sprint.
Finn Fisher-Black gains valuable seconds in the intermediate sprint
At the start of the season it is always difficult to predict what goals the teams and drivers will pursue. However, the spectators at the Tour Down Under received their first clues during the intermediate sprints. After no escape group could form immediately after the start despite several attacks, the main field sprinted for full points. Something surprisingly sat down Finn Fisher Black (UAE) before Corbin Strong (Israel – Premier Tech) and Jhonathan Narvaez (Ineos Grenadiers). In doing so, the New Zealander secured 3 valuable seconds that could still have weight at the end of the tour.
Georg Zimmermann goes on the offensive
After the first intermediate sprint, the pace in the peloton slowed down a bit. Use immediately George Zimmerman (Intermarché – Wanty) and Louis Barre (B&B Hotels) their chance for an attack. Together they were able to break away from the peloton and determine the following rankings among themselves. Up Menglers Hill, the German gave the Frenchman the mountain points twice, while he received the sprint points in return. Third place sprinted out of the main field Corbin Strong (Israel – Premier Tech). The leading duo was caught up again around 55 kilometers from the finish. Nothing stood in the way of the expected mass sprint.
Sam Welsford from team Bora-Hansgrohe takes out top spot on Day 1 after 144.0KMs and three laps of the Tanunda track.@SantosLtd #TourDownUnder
Stream the race now on 7plus: https://t.co/k2Exq3FDwl pic.twitter.com/73vcX9qn5i
— Santos Tour Down Under ♀️ (@tourdownunder) January 16, 2024