Stage 4 Review:
World Champion Peter Sagan took the first of what will surely be many victories in 2018 on Stage 4 of the Tour Down Under, surviving the 6-kilometre ascent of Norton Summit despite the est efforts of Simon Gerrans on the front for BMB, before embedding himself in a group of 34 riders over the false flat and descent, and then timing his print to perfect to edge our Mitchelton-Scott’s Daryl Impey.
The World Champion measured his ride up the climb, which averages 5%, and was always likely to be difficult to beat from that point, although he attacked first, dragging Rohan Dennis and Richie Porte with him in a small group of five, and extending many of his main rivals in the group of 34 behind.
The bunch did reconvene, with Richie Porte making a dig and tying to take away Astana’s Luis Leon Sanchez with him under the kilometre mark but being reeled in and passed by Dani Moreno, riding for Lampre, with about 500 meters to go. At this point Impey and Sagan went around Sanchez, Gorka Izaguirre (who had attached himself to Moreno’s wheel), and the two of them went head to head with Sagan just getting to the line first.
Astana’s Luis Leon Sanchez took third and the precious bonus seconds that came over the line, ahead of Diego Ulissi and Jay McCarthy.
The day had started like all the others; Scorching hot, and the temperatures were so high that only two riders decided to exert the energy needed to get into a breakaway. They were both from the University of South Australia, and both Zak Dempster and Alex Porter produced exemplary rides out in front. Porter stayed out in front until there were 45km to go, when he was dropped by the sensational Dempster, who manged to stay out until there were just 20 kilometres to go.
From then on, the main players took over and the race up Norton Summit was on, but the World Champion was quickest to the finish.
Stage 5: McLaren Vale > Willunga Hill: 151.63 KM
The Queen Stage of the race, and also a special event, given that it is a circuit race that finishes with a summit climb. Thanks once again to La Flamme Rouge for their mapping services.
The First Circuit: Is three laps long, with the start brought forward by an hour because of the scorching heat that has engulfed Australia through the last week and already affected this race.
Starting in McLaren Vale, the field go south on the Main Road (something they will do five times) and then take a hard left onto Adelinga Road, to be taken three times. Heading towards the coast, they will turn right off Norman Road to race right up the coastline through Adlinga Beach and Snapper Point – where the two intermediate sprints of the day are held - before turning through to Port Willunga.
The Second Circuit: Passes the start at the same point but turns left to head through Willunga instead of doing right, heading towards the day’s – and the race’s – centrepiece, Old Willunga Hill.
After it’s taken the first time round, there will be a descent down Range Road, before turning left to Penny’s Road and then left again to McMurtie Road before the final approach, second time round. The five or so kilometres before Willunga Hill is an open section of road, so there is the potential for crosswinds to have an impact as has happened in the past.
Old Willunga Hill: It’s 2.9km but average 7.6%, and is harshest at the beginning, with a flattening towards the end, but it is an all out effort – even if it’s short and sharp by World Tour standards. The fastest Strava time is held by one Richie Porte, at 6:49 – so blink and you’ll miss it.
The History: This stage is a fixture on the Tour, so we have plenty of results to go by; Here’s the first 13 home from last year;
1 Richie Porte (BMC RACING): 3:40:13
2 Nathan Haas (DIMENSION DATA): + 20
3 Esteban Chavez (ORICA - SCOTT)
4 Diego Ulissi (UAE ABU DHABI)
5 Jay McCarthy (BORA - HANSGROHE)
6 Nathan Earle (UniSA-Australia): + 23
7 Rafael Valls (LOTTO SOUDAL)
8 Sergio Henao (SKY)
9 Robert Gesink (LOTTO NL - JUMBO)
10 Tom-Jelte Slagter (CANNONDALE DRAPAC)
11 Wilco Kelderman (SUNWEB)
12 Rohan Dennis (BMC RACING)
13 Jhonatan Restrepo, (KATUSHA ALPECIN): + 28
In 2016 the winner was one… Richie Porte. In 2015 the winner was… Guess who… Richie Porte (Fun Fact: Rohan Dennis was second), and the year before that, of course... Richie Porte was the winner with Diego Ulissi coming second over the line.
Contenders
Richie Porte has taken this stage for the last four years and has to be considered the favourite. He rode strongly up Norton Summit yesterday, with Simon Germans setting a strong pace off the front, and he even had the energy to try and get away late. His team-mate Rohan Dennis, a previous second, is excellent support and top three contenders whilst Simon Gerrans is another part of a big unit around the Tasmanian. Nathan Haas suffered in the heat yesterday and lost all chance of the overall; Last year, he managed to match Esteban Chaves up the climb, along with Diego Ulissi and Jay McCarthy, and they all appear to be prime contenders with McCarthy having the significant aid of Pete Kennaugh. Haas is also likely to be released this time around too. Robert Gesink was ninth last year with Tom-Jelte Slagter rounding out the top 10 and all of them will look to be on the premises again.
