People's Choice Classic
German scores first top-ten finish in 2017 - with Carlos Barbero in 11th spot - as Tour Down Under offers Caleb Ewan (ORS) early chance to shine before racing starts officially on Tuesday
The Movistar Team and the 18 squads in the UCI WorldTour had their opening pedal strokes together on Sunday at the People's Choice Classic criterium in Adelaide's Wakefield Road, 50km and 22 laps as fast as in the previously traditional Rymill park circuit. The prelude to the big Australian festival of cycling saw local hero Caleb Ewan (ORS) prevailing into the inevitable bunch sprint, ahead of Bora duo Sam Bennett and Peter Sagan.
The José Luis Arrieta-led squad's two chances for the sprint, Jasha Sütterlin and Carlos Barbero, finished 10th and 11th respectively in the opening day of racing Down Under, an otherwise uneventful and calm ride for the Blues as they look for more auspicious scenarios. The race will start proper on Tuesday – stage one coming to an end around 5am Euro time – with a 145km stage one between Unley and a three-lap circuit around Lyndoch. Sprinters should be contesting the win again there.
Picture ©: Graham Watson / BettiniPhoto