Tour Down Under (st. 3)
Basque from Movistar Team crashes into final 3km, suffers many blows and bruises currently pending medical revision; Izagirre able to complete stage, remain 2nd overall as Ewan (ORS) claims another win
Stage three of the Tour Down Under, 145km between Glenelg and Victor Harbor with some light rain in the beginning and a final circuit suiting the sprinters' teams, ended with a late scare for the Movistar Team, as their leader Gorka Izagirre crashed inside the 'safety zone' of the last three kilometers.
The Basque allrounder, with many bruises and blows all over his body – most visibly on the left-hand side of his back; the helmet also had to absorb the impact -, was able to cross the finish line and not lose time, remaining 2nd overall at 20" from Richie Porte (BMC). Following his arrival, Gorka was treated by paramedics and moved to Adelaide's Royal Hospital for X-rays and a scanner. The checkups ruled out any fractures, yet the injuries keep his race continuity uncomfirmed until Friday morning.
Jasha Sütterlin took 15th inside an eventful sprint, again dominated by Caleb Ewan (ORS). Stage four, prelude to the climbers' showdown up Willunga Hill, will offer another chance to the fastest men in the peloton, as a rolling 149.5km ends slightly downward in Campbelltown.
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