Bevin retains Tour Down Under lead despite threat from Woods and Porte

Michael Woods, Richie Porte, Wout Poels and George Bennett were the strongest climbers on Friday’s fourth stage of the Tour Down Under, but it was South African Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott) taking the win. Patrick Bevin (New Zealand/CCC) staved off a threat from Woods et al to pad his race lead.

The Course

Another hilly route contained only one rated climb along its 129.2-km length: the tough little Corkscrew Road. This 2.3-km ascent is 8.6% and peaks 6-km from the finish line in Campbelltown.

?? Tour Down Under | STAGE 4

? Unley ➡️ Campbelltown
? Start 01:30 CET
? Finish ca. 04:50 CET
?️ 129.2km
?️ 25 degrees pic.twitter.com/NHt2JBda3W

— BORA – hansgrohe (@BORAhansgrohe) January 18, 2019

The Breakaway

Belgian escape artist Thomas De Gendt was the most recognizable name in a sextet of fugitives who pulled out a 5:00 lead on the peloton.

#tourdownunder In the feed zone, at 40k from the finish, the break has 2'35. pic.twitter.com/jyoTIrrjnV

— Lotto Soudal (@Lotto_Soudal) January 18, 2019

Corkscrew Road

Only three escapees started up Corkscrew Road with a slim advantage over the peloton. Poels, Woods, Porte and Bennett grabbed the front of the field and crested. Bevin couldn’t hold on.

This cool cat is on the attack on Corkscrew. Never was a matter of if but when. C'mon @rusty_woods!!

Early breakaway has been mopped up and Woodsy ? now leads with Porte, Bennett and Poels on his wheel. pic.twitter.com/as5yTHh4hZ

— EF Pro Cycling (@EFprocycling) January 18, 2019

On the descent the four tried to stay ahead of Bevin, but the Kiwi’s group of 16 nabbed the quartet 2-km from the line. Impey proved to be the best of the sprinters in the group, but Bevin was second, retaining his ochre jersey.

2019 Tour Down Under Stage 4
1) Daryl Impey (South Africa/Michelton-Scott) 3:03:27
2) Patrick Bevin (New Zealand/CCC) s.t.
3) LL Sanchez (Spain/Astana) s.t.
8) Michael Woods (Canada/EF Education First) s.t.

2019 Tour Down Under GC
1) Patrick Bevin (New Zealand/CCC) 13:23:30
2) Daryl Impey (South Africa/Michelton-Scott) +0:07
3) LL Sanchez (Spain/Astana) +0:11
10) Michael Woods (Canada/EF Education First) +0:21