Luke Rowe won the second stage of the Herald Sun Tour to get himself in top condition for the upcoming Cobbled Classics.
The Team Sky rider won in Beechworth after a long breakaway and now has his sights set on the likes of the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
Rowe has gone close to glory in those big races in the last couple of years (fifth in Flanders in 2016 and eighth in Roubaix in 2015) and is using his time in Australia to tune up for a potential major classics victory.
“The Classics are the final goal and all eyes are on the cobbles,” he said. “This is a great stepping stone towards getting there and I can’t wait to get back to Europe now.”
Rowe went away with nine others early in the day and then dropped them one by one to claim victory by 33 seconds and move him up the overall standings.
Tour leader, Adelaide’s Damien Howson, suffered a big scare with a mechanical in the closing stages, but was well supported by his Orica-Scott team-mates – including stars Simon Gerrans and Esteban Chaves – to finish safely in the peloton.
And although that was one minute and 17 seconds behind the stage winner, it was good enough to keep Howson in the yellow jersey – 38 seconds ahead of fellow Aussie Jai Hindley.
Rowe initially broke clear with Tim Ariesen, Conor Dunne, Steve Lampier, Robbie Hucker, Joshua Taylor, Jacob Kauffman, Nicholas Katsonis, Tanner Putt and Alexei Tcatevich.
With about 20km to go the Welshman then attacked again, with Putt matching him pedal stroke for pedal stroke – and Hucker and Dunne also staying in contention.
Rowe made his third and final decisive move with 7km left and stayed clear for the win, with Ireland’s Dunne claiming second and American Putt hanging on for third with the peloton closing in quickly.