Nat Bromhead
Italian rider Alberto Bettiol of EF Education – Easypost has won the first ever prologue event in the history of the Santos Tour Down Under.
Starting soon after 6pm in dry conditions, Bettiol set the lead time and took his place in the hot seat … just as the late afternoon drizzle and light rain began. The rain, and slippery riverside bike path, resulted in several minor crashes with most riders electing to minimise risk so early in the event.
“I feel really lucky, and, at the same time I knew I could do well,’’ Bettiol said.
“There are better riders, especially in the prologue, the weather of Australia helped me, and in the end, I really appreciate the effort that all my team gave me to give me the best support. I just had to pedal full gas for six and a half minutes.”
Bettiol, 29, from EF Education-Easypost and a Giro D’Italia 2021 stage winner finished the circuit in 6min19 sec averaging 52km/h.
He now leads the general classification by eight seconds going into men’s Stage 1 which starts and finishes in Tanunda.
Bicycling Australia’s Tour Down Under Coverage Is Presented By Hammerhead Cycling Computers.
