Impey wins 2018 Tour Down Under

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Mitchelton-Scott finished off the 2018 Santos Tour Down Under with the overall win for Daryl Impey as Andre Greipel won the final stage of the race for Lotto Soudal. Impey had no troubles coming through the last stage of the race, winning on countback from last year's winner Richie Porte (BMC Racing). Tom Jelte Slagter (Dimension Data), another former winner of the race, completed the final overall podium in third.

The stage spoils went to Greipel, however, with the German coming around Caleb Ewan in the final few meters to take his second stage win of the race. The Lotto sprinter won stage 1 and kick-started his season in fine form. Coming into the finale of today's stage it looked as though Ewan had the measure of his rivals. He opened up his sprint and immediately created a gap on the likes of Peter Sagan and Elia Viviani. Even Greipel appeared to be caught out initially and was forced to make a huge effort just to draw himself onto the young Australian rider's back wheel.

With the line coming into view Ewan began to tighten up, and Greipel sailed through to take a close win. After crossing the line the German raised his arms in victory, as Ewan congratulated his rival with a pat on the back. Peter Sagan finished third on the stage but in truth, he never really challenged the two fastest men in the race. The world champion leaves the race with a stage win and a spell in the leader's jersey as his reward.

The stage was marked by a series of mini-breaks but it was Logan Owen (EF Education First - Drapac pb Cannondale) who was a constant presence off the front of the peloton. The young rider attacked in several moves before and after the first bonus sprint but linked up well with Ben O'Connor. The pair combined well together and built up an advantage of over two minutes.

After an electric start to the stage, the peloton were more than willing to let the young pair toil in the hot sun as the laps counted down the finish. Impey remained near the front throughout proceedings and never looked in trouble - combining his position as race leader with leadout man in a bid to avoid any problems.

When Lotto Soudal and Sunweb began the lift the pace the early break of Owen and O'Connor began to falter. The Dimension Data rider's head dropped with just a few laps to go, when Owen accelerated away on the main climb. This proved to be a short-lived move too, and Owen was swamped by the main field with just over two laps remaining.

There as a brief lull at the front as the peloton took stock but within seconds the leadout trains raised their flags and prepared for the final sprint.

Lotto Soudal looked compact and composed, Sunweb swarmed the front and even UAE Emirates and AG2R sent riders into the mix. It was Mitchelton, Quick-Step Floors and Bora who took control after the final corner, however, but when the sprint opened no team were able to truly take control.

Ewan went first, Greipel followed and won but it was Impey who sealed the overall and the biggest stage race win of his career.

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