Michael Woods victorious in Stage 2 of Jayco Herald Sun Tour
Canadian takes race lead in Australia
Michael Woods stayed racing in Australia after earning seventh in mid-January’s Santos Down Under and has now taken the lead of the 2.1-rated Herald Sun Tour after winning Tuesday’s 127-km second stage, beating Riche Porte in a two-up sprint. This comes the day after Woods’ EF Education First teammate Daniel triumphed in the opening stage where Woods was 10th.
Woods tore into the race lead on the day’s final climb, the Cat. 1 Jeeralang, right before a 1.1-km gravel section. Porte had to work hard to keep on the Canadian’s wheel. Woods crested first and then the two stayed away from a chasing Sky duo on the descent into Churchill, Victoria. There, Woods won the duel.
Woods leads Porte by four-seconds in the GC with three stages remaining, the penultimate one ending on a climb.
Rusty Woods placed 31st in Sunday’s first one-day WorldTour race of the season, the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in Geelong, Victoria.
2019 Herald Sun Tour, Stage 2
1) Michael Woods (Canada/EF Education First) 2:55:44
2) Richie Porte (Australia/Trek-Segafredo) s.t.
3) Kenny Ellisonde (France/Sky) +0:17
2019 Herald Sun Tour GC
1) Michael Woods (Canada/EF Education First) 5:12:32
2) Richie Porte (Australia/Trek-Segafredo) +0:04
3) Kenny Ellisonde (France/Sky) +0:27
