TDU Latest: Sam Bennett & The Wolf Pack Claim Stage 1 Victory

Sam Bennett has secured his first win with new team Deceuninck–Quick-Step, the Irishman taking out Stage 1 of the Santos Tour Down Under in the Barossa Valley today.

The Irish National Champion also slipped into the Ochre Jersey and has a 4-second lead over second placed Jasper Philipsen of the United Arab Emirates team. Erik Baska of Bora Hahnsgrohe is 3rd. TDU title holder Daryl Impey of Mitchelton Scott sits 4th overall after Stage 1, the National Champion of South Africa scoring points from a time bonus during the second of five laps of the 30km Barossa course.

Slow Mo Video

Caleb Fails To Fire

Stage favourite Caleb Ewan failed to fire, the Aussie pocket rocket finishing 7th across the line and his loyal lead-out man Roger Kluge crossing way back in 116th position.

Stage favourite Caleb Ewan speaks with Dave Mackenzie prior to Stage 1.

“We were just a little bit too far back when it mattered,” Ewan said after the stage.

“When we needed to be in a good position we weren’t … that’s racing sometimes. We will debrief and see where we can improve in the next few days. Ewan went on to say “today we definitely got it wrong …. we just need to do it better – lucky we’ve got video so we can do it better next time.”