Nat Bromhead
Italy’s Simona Frapporti won the fourth and final stage of the Santos Tour Down Under on Sunday with US National Champion Ruth Winder winning the overall 2020 title.
“It feels pretty crazy to win the Santos Tour Down Under,”Winder said after the city stage. “I’m really happy to pull it off. I’m still really excited after the stage I won yesterday … It’s such an incredible feeling.”
Winder said for every win, you need a strong team, and “I wish my team-mates could accompany me on the podium.”
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Frapporti,who was one of the ten breakaway riders during the stage, emerged from the final corner to take her first victory of 2020.
“It’s always nice to win on the first stage race of the year,” she said.
“Coming from Italy, we were behind the locals in terms of condition but I was feeling very well today. So I took my chance. I’m sure my two brothers (Marco and MattiaFrapporti) who are professional cyclists too will be happy to hear that I’m a winner today. It’s important to start an Olympic year with a victory. It’s perfect for the confidence.”
2018 & 2019 winner Amanda Spratt finished third overall, just 6-seconds back with Lianne Lippert finishing 2nd some 5-seconds behind Winder.
