January 21, Stage 5: McLaren Vale - Willunga Hill 151.km
Map and profile
Tour Down Under: Stage 5 preview
Four-time Tour Down Under stage winner Baden Cooke says...
"This is the main stage, the queen stage, of the race. Once again, it can be very windy in the first part of this race along the beach there. Depending on which way the wind is coming from, it can really split there and obviously it's a long way to go, but this stage is always extremely tactical. Lead-outs coming up the first time up Willunga from teammates about to peel off are like a bunch sprint. Most leaders will have two or three guys stay with them the first time over Willunga and then keep them in position until the second time.
"Simon Gerrans has had great fortune on this stage, he's not a climber but he knows how to gauge his effort fairly well and it's stage he has done very well on. Depending on the wind, if it's a headwind up Willunga Hill, then expect someone like Gerrans to win. If it's a tailwind up the hill, expect someone like Richie Porte to win because that's when the lesser climbers don't have much of an advantage. It's a very tactical stage, it's very exciting and the heat also plays into the outcome and everyone knows they have to be positioned at the front.
"For the fans, you can go and park yourself down in Willunga and see those guys come past three times on the big lap. Then you can walk up the hill and see them come past the first time, then get to top for the finish and you would have seen them five times. It's the most iconic stage in the race."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Jai Hindley all in for 'main guy' Primož Roglič at Giro d'Italia, but says team have to 'expect the unexpected'
Australian was 'hoping for better' from Tour of the Alps but optimistic about improvements ahead of Albania -
'I am in pain, but nothing is broken' – Mattias Skjelmose recons Liège-Bastogne-Liège after avoiding serious injury in Flèche Wallonne crash
Dane was spotted riding key Côte de la Redoute climb on Thursday alongside Lidl-Trek teammates -
Tour of the Gila: Lauren Stephens extends her lead with victory at Mogollon on stage 2
José Ramón Muñiz claims men's stage 2 -
'There are more opportunities to race aggressively' – New Ineos Grenadiers ethos earns Thymen Arensman his first win for the team
Dutchman took victory and the race lead at the Tour of the Alps with an audacious 80km attack on stage 4