Will Clarke repeats Jayco Herald Sun Tour prologue victory

Will Clarke shaved over half-a-second off his Jayco Herald Sun Tour winning time last year as he powered to the win and first race leader’s jersey of the race. The Drapac rider’s average speed of 49.1km/h saw him cover the 2.1km course along Melbourne’s Southbank in 2:37.27 minutes. Caleb Ewan (Orica-GreenEdge) was the last man to start the course and would come the closest to Clarke just as he did 12-months prior under far sunnier skies.

"Pretty much same result as last year just beating Caleb by about a second. It was a nervous wait for me actually, starting 40-45 minutes before him ... and sitting up there,” Clarke said after the podium ceremony where he collected the first leader’s jersey of the race. “I thought he’s [Ewan] good in the corners, he’s very fast so this course suits him as well.

“I am just stronger than last year I think so I think that’s what allowed me to go a little bit quicker," Clarke added of the difference between his 2015 and 2016 winning rides. "I guess I’d down Tour Down Under the previous years before this and maybe in ways it can help to have a race in your legs but I guess I was able to do more specific prologue work before this also which could have helped.

Clarke lost the leader's jersey after stage 1 last year but the 30-year-old is looking for an extended stay in the jersey this time round.

“It would be nice to hang onto the jersey for a day or two, he have to wait and see how the race plays out. It’s such a short prologue so the time gaps aren’t huge, its not like I am 10-20 seconds up on anyone," Clarke said. "Whoever basically wins tomorrow has a good chance of pulling on the leaders jersey. We’ll wait and see how the race is going, maybe put some guys up the road to defend our interest that way."

While Clarke repeated his win, Ewan repeated his second place. The Orica-GreenEdge sprinter explained he gave it his all but having won seven races in January, his tone was of disappointment with his first second place of the season.

“It was pretty similar I think, it was less than a second in it again but I left it all out there and I still came up short,” Ewan said. “Obviously I am not training really for a two–and-half kilometre prologue but I was pretty confident with my form and how I was going. I knew I was going to do a good ride but obviously it wasn’t good enough to win. Will was super strong today, as he was last year, and I think he does really well in these short time trials so it was always going to be hard to beat him.”

Michael Storer (Kordamentha Australia) was first off and first into the hot seat with a time of 2:49.30. Ryan Cavanagh quickly disposed him as he crossed the line in 2:42.29. Pat Shaw shaved 19 thousands of a second off Cavanaugh’s time for a new best time.

Drizzles of rain started to fall 10 minutes into the prologue quickly followed by bursts of later afternoon sun in typical display of Melbourne weather. Jack Bobridge (Trek-Segafredo) had little care for the weather conditions as he crossed the line in 3:40.36 minutes.

Robbie Hucker (Avanti Isowhey) was the first rider under the 2:40 minute mark as he crossed the line in 2:37.28 minutes having averaged 48.2 km/h on the riverbank course. Neil van der Ploeg came though to knock his teammate off the porch with a 2:36.97 and slot into the hot seat.

Will Clarke’s (Drapac) time was the quickest at the intermediate and quickest on the line to ensure a prolonged stint in the hot seat. As the riders continued to cross the line, the podium places remained unchallenged until Caleb Ewan crossed the line for second place, deju vu 12-months on from also placed second. Defending Tour de France champion Chris Frome (Team Sky) crossed the line in 26th place for his first race of the season, eight seconds down on Clarke

"I am happy with that, the main objective today I think was to stay upright," Froome told reporters after finishing. "I think the racing is still going to be decided over these next few days and undoubtedly when we get to Arthurs Seat at the end, that’s going to be the big day."

Full Results

Swipe to scroll horizontally
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1William Clarke (Aus) Drapac Professional Cycling0:02:34
2Caleb Ewan (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge0:00:01
3Neil Van Der Ploeg (Aus) Avanti IsoWhey Cycling Team0:00:02
4Robbie Hucker (Aus) Avanti IsoWhey Cycling Team0:00:03
5Joseph Cooper (NZl) Avanti IsoWhey Cycling Team0:00:04
6Sam Bewley (NZl) Orica-GreenEdge0:00:05
7Niccolo Bonifazio (Ita) Trek – SegafredoRow 6 - Cell 2
8Damien Howson (Aus) Orica-GreenEdgeRow 7 - Cell 2
8Peter Kennaugh (GBr) Team SkyRow 8 - Cell 2
9Anthony Giacoppo (Aus) Avanti IsoWhey Cycling TeamRow 9 - Cell 2
10Jesse Kerrison (Aus State of Matter / MAAPRow 10 - Cell 2
11Dion Smith (NZl) ONE Pro CyclingRow 11 - Cell 2
12John Murphy (USA) United Healthcare Pro CyclingRow 12 - Cell 2
13Chris Lawless (GBr) Condor JLT0:00:06
14Jack Bobridge (Aus) Trek – SegafredoRow 14 - Cell 2
15Nicolas Marini (Ita) Nippo Vini FantiniRow 15 - Cell 2
16Nathan Earle (Aus) Drapac Professional CyclingRow 16 - Cell 2
17Christopher Hamilton (Aus) KordaMentha - Australian National TeamRow 17 - Cell 2
18Luke Rowe (GBr) Team SkyRow 18 - Cell 2
19Daniel Summerhill (USA) United Healthcare Pro Cycling0:00:07
20James Oram (NZl) ONE Pro CyclingRow 20 - Cell 2
21Adam Phelan (Aus) Drapac Professional CyclingRow 21 - Cell 2
22Lachlan Norris (Aus) Drapac Professional CyclingRow 22 - Cell 2
23Alistair Donohoe (Aus) KordaMentha - Australian National TeamRow 23 - Cell 2
24Sebastian Henao (Col) Team SkyRow 24 - Cell 2
25Cameron Bayly (Aus) Attaque Team GustoRow 25 - Cell 2
26Chris Froome (GBr) Team Sky0:00:08
27Patrick Shaw (Aus) Avanti IsoWhey Cycling TeamRow 27 - Cell 2
28Thomas Scully (NZl) Drapac Professional CyclingRow 28 - Cell 2
29Ryan Cavanagh (Aus) State of Matter / MAAPRow 29 - Cell 2
30Ryan Thomas (Aus) Data#3 Cisco Racing Team p/b ScodyRow 30 - Cell 2
31Jon Mould (GBr) Condor JLT0:00:09
32Russ Downing (GBr) Condor JLTRow 32 - Cell 2
33Ben Hill (Aus) Attaque Team GustoRow 33 - Cell 2
34Morgan Smith (NZl) Kenyan Riders DownunderRow 34 - Cell 2
35Patrick Lane (Aus) Avanti IsoWhey Cycling TeamRow 35 - Cell 2
36Richard Handley (GBr) ONE Pro CyclingRow 36 - Cell 2
37Kristian House (GBr) ONE Pro CyclingRow 37 - Cell 2
38Mitch Docker (Aus) Orica-GreenEdgeRow 38 - Cell 2
39Craig Evers (Aus) Data#3 Cisco Racing Team p/b ScodyRow 39 - Cell 2
40Steve Lampier (GBr) Condor JLT0:00:10
41Jonathan Clarke (Aus) United Healthcare Pro CyclingRow 41 - Cell 2
42Sam Volkers (Aus) Data#3 Cisco Racing Team p/b ScodyRow 42 - Cell 2
43Dylan Sunderland (Aus) State of Matter / MAAPRow 43 - Cell 2
44Salvatore Puccio (Ita) Team SkyRow 44 - Cell 2
45Tanner Putt (USA) United Healthcare Pro CyclingRow 45 - Cell 2
46Alistair Slater (GBr) Condor JLT0:00:11
47Julien Bernard (Fra) Trek – SegafredoRow 47 - Cell 2
48Adrian Hegyvary (USA) United Healthcare Pro CyclingRow 48 - Cell 2
49Fumiyuki Beppu (Jpn) Trek – SegafredoRow 49 - Cell 2
50Jason Christie (NZl) Kenyan Riders DownunderRow 50 - Cell 2
51Jack Haig (Aus) Orica-GreenEdgeRow 51 - Cell 2
52Scott Thomas (NZl) Data#3 Cisco Racing Team p/b ScodyRow 52 - Cell 2
53Chris Harper (Aus) State of Matter / MAAPRow 53 - Cell 2
54Travis Meyer (Aus) Drapac Professional CyclingRow 54 - Cell 2
55James Glasspool (Aus) Novo NordiskRow 55 - Cell 2
56Giacomo Berlato (Ita) Nippo Vini FantiniRow 56 - Cell 2
57Nick Miller(NZl) Kenyan Riders DownunderRow 57 - Cell 2
58Daniele Colli (Ita) Nippo Vini FantiniRow 58 - Cell 2
59Steele von Hoff (Aus) ONE Pro Cycling0:00:12
60Eugenio Alafaci (Ita) Trek – SegafredoRow 60 - Cell 2
61Mike Cuming (GBr) State of Matter / MAAPRow 61 - Cell 2
62Ty Magner (USA) United Healthcare Pro CyclingRow 62 - Cell 2
63Nick Katsonis (Aus) State of Matter / MAAP0:00:13
64George Atkins (GBr) Condor JLTRow 64 - Cell 2
65Christopher Williams (Aus) Novo NordiskRow 65 - Cell 2
66Christian Meier (Can) Orica-GreenEdgeRow 66 - Cell 2
67Josh Hunt (GBr) ONE Pro CyclingRow 67 - Cell 2
68Patrick Sharpe (Aus) St George Merida0:00:14
69Lucas Hamilton (Aus) KordaMentha - Australian National TeamRow 69 - Cell 2
70Nathan Elliott (Aus) Kenyan Riders DownunderRow 70 - Cell 2
71Dylan Newberry (Aus) Data#3 Cisco Racing Team p/b ScodyRow 71 - Cell 2
72Kazushige Kuboki (Jpn) Nippo Vini Fantini0:00:15
73Jai Hindley (Aus) Attaque Team GustoRow 73 - Cell 2
74Michael Storer (Aus) KordaMentha - Australian National TeamRow 74 - Cell 2
75Nicholas Woods (Aus) St George Merida0:00:16
76Laurent Didier (Lux) Trek – SegafredoRow 76 - Cell 2
77Benjamin Dyball (Aus) KordaMentha - Australian National TeamRow 77 - Cell 2
78Brodie Talbot (Aus) St George MeridaRow 78 - Cell 2
79Brian Kamstra (Ned) Novo Nordisk0:00:17
80Sam Dobbs (NZl) Attaque Team GustoRow 80 - Cell 2
81Daniel Bonello (Aus) St George MeridaRow 81 - Cell 2
82Angus Lyons (Aus) KordaMentha - Australian National Team0:00:18
83Ian Boswell (USA) Team Sky0:00:19
84Yuma Koishi (Jpn) Nippo Vini FantiniRow 84 - Cell 2
85Thomas Hubbard (NZl) Data#3 Cisco Racing Team p/b ScodyRow 85 - Cell 2
86Damiano Cunego (Ita) Nippo Vini FantiniRow 86 - Cell 2
87Liam Hill (Aus) Kenyan Riders Downunder0:00:22
88Scott Ambrose (NZl) Novo NordiskRow 88 - Cell 2
89Corentin Cherhal (Fra) Novo NordiskRow 89 - Cell 2
90Josh Berry (Aus) St George MeridaRow 90 - Cell 2
91Tim Guy (Aus) Attaque Team Gusto0:00:23
92Shao Hsuan Lu (Tpe) Attaque Team GustoRow 92 - Cell 2
93Suleiman Kangangi (Ken) Kenyan Riders DownunderRow 93 - Cell 2
94Jay Dutton (Aus) St George Merida0:00:26
95Gerd De Keijzer (Ned) Novo Nordisk0:00:27
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Teams
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Avanti Isowhey Sport0:07:51
2Orica GreenEdge0:00:02
3Drapac Professional Cycling0:00:04
4Team Sky0:00:09
5ONE Pro Cycling0:00:12
6Trek - Segafredo0:00:13
7UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling TeamRow 6 - Cell 2
8State Of Matter / Maap0:00:14
9JLT Condor0:00:15
10Australia National Team P/B KordaMentha0:00:18
11Data#3 Cisco Racing Team P/B ScodyRow 10 - Cell 2
12Nippo - Vini Fantini0:00:19
13Attaque Team Gusto0:00:22
14Kenyan Riders DownunderRow 13 - Cell 2
15Team Novo Nordisk0:00:32
16St George Merida Cycling Team0:00:37
Swipe to scroll horizontally
General classification after prologue
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1William Clarke (Aus) Drapac Professional Cycling0:02:34
2Caleb Ewan (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge0:00:01
3Neil Van Der Ploeg (Aus) Avanti IsoWhey Cycling Team0:00:02
4Robbie Hucker (Aus) Avanti IsoWhey Cycling Team0:00:03
5Joseph Cooper (NZl) Avanti IsoWhey Cycling Team0:00:04
6Sam Bewley (NZl) Orica-GreenEdge0:00:05
7Niccolo Bonifazio (Ita) Trek – SegafredoRow 6 - Cell 2
8Damien Howson (Aus) Orica-GreenEdgeRow 7 - Cell 2
9Peter Kennaugh (GBr) Team SkyRow 8 - Cell 2
10Anthony Giacoppo (Aus) Avanti IsoWhey Cycling TeamRow 9 - Cell 2
11Jesse Kerrison (Aus State of Matter / MAAPRow 10 - Cell 2
12Dion Smith (NZl) ONE Pro CyclingRow 11 - Cell 2
13John Murphy (USA) United Healthcare Pro CyclingRow 12 - Cell 2
14Chris Lawless (GBr) Condor JLT0:00:06
15Jack Bobridge (Aus) Trek – SegafredoRow 14 - Cell 2
16Nicolas Marini (Ita) Nippo Vini FantiniRow 15 - Cell 2
17Nathan Earle (Aus) Drapac Professional CyclingRow 16 - Cell 2
18Christopher Hamilton (Aus) KordaMentha - Australian National TeamRow 17 - Cell 2
19Luke Rowe (GBr) Team SkyRow 18 - Cell 2
20Daniel Summerhill (USA) United Healthcare Pro Cycling0:00:07
21James Oram (NZl) ONE Pro CyclingRow 20 - Cell 2
22Adam Phelan (Aus) Drapac Professional CyclingRow 21 - Cell 2
23Lachlan Norris (Aus) Drapac Professional CyclingRow 22 - Cell 2
24Alistair Donohoe (Aus) KordaMentha - Australian National TeamRow 23 - Cell 2
25Sebastian Henao (Col) Team SkyRow 24 - Cell 2
26Cameron Bayly (Aus) Attaque Team GustoRow 25 - Cell 2
27Chris Froome (GBr) Team Sky0:00:08
28Patrick Shaw (Aus) Avanti IsoWhey Cycling TeamRow 27 - Cell 2
29Thomas Scully (NZl) Drapac Professional CyclingRow 28 - Cell 2
30Ryan Cavanagh (Aus) State of Matter / MAAPRow 29 - Cell 2
31Ryan Thomas (Aus) Data#3 Cisco Racing Team p/b ScodyRow 30 - Cell 2
32Jon Mould (GBr) Condor JLT0:00:09
33Russ Downing (GBr) Condor JLTRow 32 - Cell 2
34Ben Hill (Aus) Attaque Team GustoRow 33 - Cell 2
35Morgan Smith (NZl) Kenyan Riders DownunderRow 34 - Cell 2
36Patrick Lane (Aus) Avanti IsoWhey Cycling TeamRow 35 - Cell 2
37Richard Handley (GBr) ONE Pro CyclingRow 36 - Cell 2
38Kristian House (GBr) ONE Pro CyclingRow 37 - Cell 2
39Mitch Docker (Aus) Orica-GreenEdgeRow 38 - Cell 2
40Craig Evers (Aus) Data#3 Cisco Racing Team p/b ScodyRow 39 - Cell 2
41Steve Lampier (GBr) Condor JLT0:00:10
42Jonathan Clarke (Aus) United Healthcare Pro CyclingRow 41 - Cell 2
43Sam Volkers (Aus) Data#3 Cisco Racing Team p/b ScodyRow 42 - Cell 2
44Dylan Sunderland (Aus) State of Matter / MAAPRow 43 - Cell 2
45Salvatore Puccio (Ita) Team SkyRow 44 - Cell 2
46Tanner Putt (USA) United Healthcare Pro CyclingRow 45 - Cell 2
47Alistair Slater (GBr) Condor JLT0:00:11
48Julien Bernard (Fra) Trek – SegafredoRow 47 - Cell 2
49Adrian Hegyvary (USA) United Healthcare Pro CyclingRow 48 - Cell 2
50Fumiyuki Beppu (Jpn) Trek – SegafredoRow 49 - Cell 2
51Jason Christie (NZl) Kenyan Riders DownunderRow 50 - Cell 2
52Jack Haig (Aus) Orica-GreenEdgeRow 51 - Cell 2
53Scott Thomas (NZl) Data#3 Cisco Racing Team p/b ScodyRow 52 - Cell 2
54Chris Harper (Aus) State of Matter / MAAPRow 53 - Cell 2
55Travis Meyer (Aus) Drapac Professional CyclingRow 54 - Cell 2
56James Glasspool (Aus) Novo NordiskRow 55 - Cell 2
57Giacomo Berlato (Ita) Nippo Vini FantiniRow 56 - Cell 2
58Nick Miller(NZl) Kenyan Riders DownunderRow 57 - Cell 2
59Daniele Colli (Ita) Nippo Vini FantiniRow 58 - Cell 2
60Steele von Hoff (Aus) ONE Pro Cycling0:00:12
61Eugenio Alafaci (Ita) Trek – SegafredoRow 60 - Cell 2
62Mike Cuming (GBr) State of Matter / MAAPRow 61 - Cell 2
63Ty Magner (USA) United Healthcare Pro CyclingRow 62 - Cell 2
64Nick Katsonis (Aus) State of Matter / MAAP0:00:13
65George Atkins (GBr) Condor JLTRow 64 - Cell 2
66Christopher Williams (Aus) Novo NordiskRow 65 - Cell 2
67Christian Meier (Can) Orica-GreenEdgeRow 66 - Cell 2
68Josh Hunt (GBr) ONE Pro CyclingRow 67 - Cell 2
69Patrick Sharpe (Aus) St George Merida0:00:14
70Lucas Hamilton (Aus) KordaMentha - Australian National TeamRow 69 - Cell 2
71Nathan Elliott (Aus) Kenyan Riders DownunderRow 70 - Cell 2
72Dylan Newberry (Aus) Data#3 Cisco Racing Team p/b ScodyRow 71 - Cell 2
73Kazushige Kuboki (Jpn) Nippo Vini Fantini0:00:15
74Jai Hindley (Aus) Attaque Team GustoRow 73 - Cell 2
75Michael Storer (Aus) KordaMentha - Australian National TeamRow 74 - Cell 2
76Nicholas Woods (Aus) St George Merida0:00:16
77Laurent Didier (Lux) Trek – SegafredoRow 76 - Cell 2
78Benjamin Dyball (Aus) KordaMentha - Australian National TeamRow 77 - Cell 2
79Brodie Talbot (Aus) St George MeridaRow 78 - Cell 2
80Brian Kamstra (Ned) Novo Nordisk0:00:17
81Sam Dobbs (NZl) Attaque Team GustoRow 80 - Cell 2
82Daniel Bonello (Aus) St George MeridaRow 81 - Cell 2
83Angus Lyons (Aus) KordaMentha - Australian National Team0:00:18
84Ian Boswell (USA) Team Sky0:00:19
85Yuma Koishi (Jpn) Nippo Vini FantiniRow 84 - Cell 2
86Thomas Hubbard (NZl) Data#3 Cisco Racing Team p/b ScodyRow 85 - Cell 2
87Damiano Cunego (Ita) Nippo Vini FantiniRow 86 - Cell 2
88Liam Hill (Aus) Kenyan Riders Downunder0:00:22
89Scott Ambrose (NZl) Novo NordiskRow 88 - Cell 2
90Corentin Cherhal (Fra) Novo NordiskRow 89 - Cell 2
91Josh Berry (Aus) St George MeridaRow 90 - Cell 2
92Tim Guy (Aus) Attaque Team Gusto0:00:23
93Shao Hsuan Lu (Tpe) Attaque Team GustoRow 92 - Cell 2
94Suleiman Kangangi (Ken) Kenyan Riders DownunderRow 93 - Cell 2
95Jay Dutton (Aus) St George Merida0:00:26
96Gerd De Keijzer (Ned) Novo Nordisk0:00:27
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Young rider classification
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Caleb Ewan (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge0:02:35
2Jesse Kerrison (Aus State of Matter / MAAP0:00:04
3Chris Lawless (GBr) Condor JLT0:00:05
4Christopher Hamilton (Aus) KordaMentha - Australian National TeamRow 3 - Cell 2
5Alistair Donohoe (Aus) KordaMentha - Australian National Team0:00:06
6Ryan Cavanagh (Aus) State of Matter / MAAP0:00:07
7Ryan Thomas (Aus) Data#3 Cisco Racing Team p/b ScodyRow 6 - Cell 2
8Dylan Sunderland (Aus) State of Matter / MAAP0:00:09
9Chris Harper (Aus) State of Matter / MAAP0:00:10
10Nick Katsonis (Aus) State of Matter / MAAP0:00:12
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Teams classification
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Avanti Isowhey Sport0:07:51
2Orica GreenEdge0:00:02
3Drapac Professional Cycling0:00:04
4Team Sky0:00:09
5ONE Pro Cycling0:00:12
6Trek - Segafredo0:00:13
7UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling TeamRow 6 - Cell 2
8State Of Matter / Maap0:00:14
9JLT Condor0:00:15
10Australia National Team P/B Kordamentha0:00:18
11Data#3 Cisco Racing Team P/B ScodyRow 10 - Cell 2
12Nippo - Vini Fantini0:00:19
13Attaque Team Gusto0:00:22
14Kenyan Riders DownunderRow 13 - Cell 2
15Team Novo Nordisk0:00:32
16St George Merida Cycling Team0:00:37

 

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