Tour Down Under (st. 1)
Bobridge (UNA) surges from day's break to beat the bunch as Lobato takes on another long sprint for 3rd into the field, 7th in the day; Andalusian sprinter from Movistar Team with good chance on Wednesday
The thinner dominance -only seven riders per team- by the WorldTour outfits in the Tour Down Under and the power by the early four escapees on day one of the race -132km from Tanunda to Campbelltown, including a Cat. 2 climb (Checker Hill) and several slopes in the finale- saw the attempt, led by local Jack Bobridge (UNA), contest the stage over the top sprinters. Juanjo Lobato, again launching a long rush to the finish, claimed his second top-ten finish in 48 hours by crossing the line in 7th spot, with the same time of Westra (AST), Durbridge (OGE) and Belkov (KAT) while only behind Bonifazio (LAM) and Meersman (EQS) into the bunch.
The Andalusian specialist, well supported by a Movistar Team not directly implied on chasing duties but always up-front with Herrada, Capecchi, Sanz, Gorka Izagirre or Lastras -who turned 39 today-, showed again good condition in the eve of a really interesting finish for him. Stage two will include three climbs of the Stirling hill after 151km starting at Unley, a close resemblance of the venues he was successful in during the 2014 season (Wallonie, Burgos) and a place where Alejandro Valverde even got 4th in 2012, only behind Clarke (UNA), Matthews (RAB) and Gerrans (GEC).