Caleb Ewan was red hot on stage one of the Tour Down Under – on a day when searing temperatures in South Australia saw the race shortened for the safety of the riders.
Ewan, just 22 and fresh from his victory in the People’s Choice Classic in Adelaide on Sunday, proved he is in top form by powering to victory in the final sprint.
The Australian Orica-Scott star just edged out Holland’s Danny Van Poppel and Irishman Sam Bennett by a matter of inches – and subsequently claimed the ochre jersey as overall race leader ahead of tomorrow’s second stage.
It was a sweltering 45 degrees in the Barossa Valley and race organisers took the decision to knock one 26.5km lap of Lyndoch off the end of the stage to get the peloton out of the sun more quickly.
“The safety and welfare of the riders, spectators and everyone involved with the race is always our primary concern,” said Tour director Mike Turtur.
Astana’s Laurens De Vreese made an early breakaway in the heat, but he was then reeled in with less than 30km to go, with Jan Bakelants then taking the chance to jump away.
However the peloton hunted him down with just 1500m remaining, before Ewan surged to glory after world champion Peter Sagan had tried an early blast to the line which ultimately proved fruitless.
Ewan said: “It was really stinking hot out there and everyone was feeling the heat.
“I think it was a good decision to shorten the race a little bit as it can’t be too good for us to be out in that sun all day.
“But I was really happy to get the win in the end. It’s going to be a really nice feeling to be in the leaders’ jersey and I’m really happy about it.”