Tour Down Under 2019: Stage 4

Hello and welcome to our live coverage from stage 4 of the Santos Tour Down Under, the first race of the 2019 UCI WorldTour.

• 2019 Tour Down Under Race Page
• Tour Down Under - Start List
• Tour Down Under race tech mega gallery
• Peter Sagan sneaks home for stage 3 victory
• Porte picks Woods as the strongest as Corkscrew looms
• Tour Down Under Stage 4 Preview

Howdy race fans! Stage 4 of the Santos Tour Down under and the infamous Corkscrew climb are on tap today, but first let's preview little bit from yesterday's third stage.

Stage 3 Top 10:

1 Peter Sagan (Svk) Bora-Hansgrohe 3:46:06
2 Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Astana Pro Team
3 Daryl Impey (RSA) Mitchelton-Scott
4 Danny van Poppel (Ned) Team Jumbo-Visma
5 Patrick Bevin (NZl) CCC Team
6 Jan Polanc (Slo) UAE Team Emirates
7 Ruben Guerreiro (Por) Katusha-Alpecin
8 Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates
9 Chris Hamilton (Aus) Team Sunweb
10 Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) Bahrain-Merida

General Classification after stage 3:

1 Patrick Bevin (NZl) CCC Team 10:20:09
2 Peter Sagan (Svk) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:01
3 Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Astana Pro Team 0:00:09
4 Michael Storer (Aus) Team Sunweb 0:00:10
5 Daryl Impey (RSA) Mitchelton-Scott 0:00:11
6 Danny van Poppel (Ned) Team Jumbo-Visma 0:00:15
7 Jan Polanc (Slo) UAE Team Emirates
8 Ryan Gibbons (RSA) Dimension Data
9 Chris Hamilton (Aus) Team Sunweb
10 George Bennett (NZl) Team Jumbo-Visma

Stage 4 starts in Unley and finishes 129.2km later in Campbelltown shortly after taking in the infamous Corkscrew climb, which tops out just 5.7km before a fast descent to the line.

The 2.6km category 1 climb in Montacute averages 9 percent gradient and could provide a Launchpad for the stage winner or a GC rider looking to gain time on his rivals before Sunday's Queen stage and Willunga Hill.

But long before the fireworks go off on the Corkscrew, the race will roll out of Unley for a 6km neutral that will take the peloton to Mount Osmond before the flag drops and arcing starts.

From Mount Osmond the route heads upwards for several kilometres before the peloton rolls through Stirling and Mylar on the way to the first intermediate sprint in Echunga at 28.9km. A nearly 30km loop through Meadows and Macclesfield take riders back to Echunga for the second and final sprint of the day.

From there the course heads north to Hahndorf, Littlehampton, Nairne and the feedzone in Woodside ar 87.8km. The race goes through Lobethal, scene of the stage 3 start, and then revisits Cudlee Creek for a second day before turning back to the southwest and toward the Corkscrew.

The start of any Tour Down Under stage means we have more photos of riders with joeys. Hang on!

 Here's Bahrain-Merida's Yukiya Arashiro.

Marcel Sieberg asks, "Would you like to hold this rabbit?"

Mitchelton-Scott director Matt White has been previewing each of the stages for Cyclingnews. He told us this is the first guaranteed day for the GC riders to hit the front. You can read White's entire preview HERE, as well as check out the stage map and profile.

And we're off for the 6km neutral roll out.

Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) said he believes EF Education First's Michael Woods is the strongest climber in the race at the moment. You can read Porte's comments in THIS STORY by Daniel Benson

You also won't want to miss guest writer Adam Hansen's blog about the 5 races that changed his life. Click HERE.

@Bahrain_Merida Fri, 18th Jan 2019 00:35:55

And we're racing - for 129.2 kilometres and one Corkscrew climb!

We have our first move of the day with 46 seconds

Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal)
Hermann Pernsteiner (Bahrain-Merida)
Benoit Cosnefroy (AG2R La Mondiale)
Miles Scotson (Groupama-FDJ
Nicholas White (UniSA-Australia)
Jasha Sütterlin (Movistar)

4km remaining from 129km

The gap to our five leaders has gone up quickly to 1:20 as they near the Heysen Tunnels.

@TrekSegafredo Fri, 18th Jan 2019 00:55:20

124km remaining from 129km

The leaders have really picked up the pace and added another 35 seconds to the gap, which is now 1:55. It's never a bad day in the breakaway when you've got Thomas De Gent along.

Max Kanter (Team Sunweb) did not finish yesterday's stage, leaving 132 starters for today.

From the start in Unley ...

120km remaining from 129km

The leaders now have 2:50 on the peloton. Once again, the six-rider breakaway includes:
 

Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal)
Hermann Pernsteiner (Bahrain-Merida)
Benoit Cosnefroy (AG2R La Mondiale)
Miles Scotson (Groupama-FDJ
Nicholas White (UniSA-Australia)
Jasha Sütterlin (Movistar)
 

114km remaining from 129km

Up, up, up goes the gap to 3:40

Stage 3 winner Peter Sagan started stage 4 in the blue jersey

110km remaining from 129km

The leaders are about 10km away from the first intermediate sprint in Echunga with a gap of 3:55

Michael Woods, pictured below, is one of the favourites for the win today. He was calm and ready to go this morning.

If you'd like to know more about Thomas De Gendt and the art of the breakaway specialist, you can read it HERE

It looks like Nicholas White has taken the first intermediate sprint

Its official. White takes maximum points at the sprint ahead of Miles Scotson and Jasha Sütterlin. They also get bonuses of three, two and one second.

We caught up with Jumbo-Visma's Kiwi leader George Bennett at the start in Unley today. Here's what he had to say about today's stage:

"We'll see the lay of the land today, who is good, and who isn't. I don't think that the heat has done too much damage so far. It has almost been too hot to race. A couple of guys have attacked but then they've given up after 60km.

"Stage 3 was a bit harder, but it's like a race like Paris-Nice, where you have that accumulated affect from each day. Here you have to be good for those eight or so minutes today and at Willunga.

"Sagan definitely isn't a threat on GC. Bevin is going to be impossible to beat from now. I saw how good he was at nationals. I said to the team when I got here that we needed to keep an eye on him. Then when he took those seconds on the first stage he's shown how good he was. It's going to be hard to beat him. Woods and Porte maybe can, but then it's up to the rest of us to try and hang on."

Peter Sagan likely won't be in the running after the Corkscrew climb today, but the former world champion has already taken a stage yesterday and will be looking for more. Lead out man Daniel Oss was talking at the start this morning. Here's what he had to say:

"We believed in him [yesterday] because Peter is Peter. It was really hard, the heat, the parcours, everything. It was really difficult but, in the end, we believed with 10km to go we understand maybe it will be a good day.

"We will see [if he can get over Corkscrew with the leaders today]. Today is different, there's only one climb and it's pretty steep and you need to hold on and give everything there. We will see. We're all in good shape, so we'll try for sure."

Luis león Sanchez, second on stage 3 yesterday, relaxes with his Astana teammates before the start in Unley this morning.

88km remaining from 129km

The leaders have extended their advantage to 4:35

Chris Hamilton (Team Sunweb) had this to say at the start this morning:

"Everything has kind of gone to plan so far. We wanted [Michael] Storer to get up in the break on stage 1 in case of time bonuses. Quite often in the Tour Down Under it has come down to either your best finishing places over the race or a matter of seconds. It's all going pretty good I think.

"I remember doing this stage in 2016 when I was on the UniSA team and I can't think of many other times where I've been more terrified on my bike than racing down that hill, but yeah, we'll do it again today. We're comfortable as a team and we'll be doing a good leadout. So yeah, I'm excited."

Race leader Paddy Bevin told us this morning that he expect the climbers to "light up" today's stage when it hits the Corckscrew:

"It's time for the climbers to come forward and start taking time back. The final is in three parts: you've got the run down from the Gorge, you've got the Corkscrew and then the descent to the finish. You've got to be good on all three to win the stage and the GC.

"For me, it's about getting into position and if you've got the legs, you've got the legs. There's no hiding and no faking. It may not completely decide the race, but for the sprinters chasing the climbers, like me, it's a really big test.

"It's nice. I've had clear goals set in the off-season and a clear race programme. This a clear product of that. I'm not a different rider. That's how cruel cycling is. Literally, a year later from riding on the front at Willunga I'm going to be fighting it out and chasing the best result I can. It's a big difference this year. That shows the ebb and flow of the sport."

75km remaining from 129km

The leaders have now taken their gap out over five minutes. They're leading the peloton by 5:15

We also caught up with Michael Valgren, who is in his first race for new team Dimension Data:

"I know my limits, and I think it'll be too hard for me today. Luckily, we have Tom-Jelte Slagter here, so that's who we're going to go for. He's done well here at this race before, and we know what he's capable of, so we're going to try to help him. But if I'm there, I'm there, and I'll do my best.

"We really hope that we can all be up there – Tom, Ben [O'Connor] and me – because it's always nice to have more cards to play, because you never know what will happen on Willunga. The team's in great shape, so we're confident. We have a plan, and we'll try to stick to it.

"This race is always close and is often decided by seconds. Riders always go for the time bonuses as a result, and today I think is going to be decisive for the GC.

"You need really good legs for Corkscrew, but you also need a really good position going onto the climb – that's really important. But if things are still close after today, you'll see it all happen on the Willunga stage on Sunday."

Several teams have thrown riders into the chase with CCC Team, including Trek-Segafredo, Mitchelton-Scott and Astana. The gap is down to 4:30. 

De Gent takes maximum points and a three-second time bonus at the second and final sprint of the day in Echunga. Pernsteiner was second, followed by Cosnefroy.

The brass ring to try and grab doesn't come until the top of the Corkscrew climb and the day's only KOM at 123.5km into the stage. Just 5.7km remain after that.

De Gent takes maximum points and a three-second time bonus at the second and final sprint of the day in Echunga. Pernsteiner was second, followed by Cosnefroy.

The next brass ring to try and grab doesn't come until the top of the Corkscrew climb and the day's only KOM at 123.5km into the stage. Just 5.7km remain after that.

De Gent takes maximum points and a three-second time bonus at the second and final sprint of the day in Echunga. Pernsteiner was second, followed by Cosnefroy.

The next brass ring to try and grab doesn't come until the top of the Corkscrew climb and the day's only KOM at 123.5km into the stage. Just 5.7km remain after that.

De Gent takes maximum points and a three-second time bonus at the second and final sprint of the day in Echunga. Pernsteiner was second, followed by Cosnefroy.

The next brass ring to try and grab doesn't come until the top of the Corkscrew climb and the day's only KOM at 123.5km into the stage. Just 5.7km remain after that.

Daryl Impey, third yesterday and defending champion overall, had this to say this morning in Unley before the start of the stage:

"Today's a tough stage. The first test of the race was yesterday, and the second one is today. This race always comes down to seconds and places. Yesterday was a really good opportunity, and today we'll see how we go. I'm happy with my legs and how the guys rode yesterday."

Daryl Impey, third yesterday and defending champion overall, had this to say this morning in Unley before the start of the stage:

"Today's a tough stage. The first test of the race was yesterday, and the second one is today. This race always comes down to seconds and places. Yesterday was a really good opportunity, and today we'll see how we go. I'm happy with my legs and how the guys rode yesterday."

Daryl Impey, third yesterday and defending champion overall, had this to say this morning in Unley before the start of the stage:

"Today's a tough stage. The first test of the race was yesterday, and the second one is today. This race always comes down to seconds and places. Yesterday was a really good opportunity, and today we'll see how we go. I'm happy with my legs and how the guys rode yesterday."

Michael Woods (EF Education First Pro Cycling) spoke to us at the start about yesterday's stage:

"It was a really special experience. I've been a pro now for four seasons and that was one of the best days we've had as a team. It was almost like junior racing at one point, we had two guys up the road, Tom Southam came on the radio and said 'We've got two guys in the break, Alberto [Bettiol] and Jimmy [Whelen].' I turned to look at Mitch Docker and we had a good laugh. It was cool.

"That was the plan yesterday. We've got Paddy Bevin, who has 15 seconds on myself and the other climbers, so we needed to try and shake up the race yesterday and try to get as much out of it as possible. Unfortunately for me, but fortunately for Paddy, is that he's still going great. He defended really well and we tried our best. Today is a new day, I think we've got a good shot at trying to shake it up again."

60km remaining from 129km

With 60km remaining, the gap to our six leaders is down to 3:30.

We also caught up with Woods' EF Education First director Tom Southam about the race so far:

"Bevin was 10th here when he was riding up Willunga for Woods. I've said a million times that getting time back on people on Willunga is so difficult, and against Patrick it's going to be really difficult. The good thing is that he didn't win the stage yesterday or get a bonus. Today, with the descent after the finish, I think he's going to be hard to beat."

We asked Southam if it was a mistake to let Bevin go on stage 1?

"We discussed it at the time. To let him go, no. We saw at the start of the race how good he was and how skinny he was. We know he can be good here. We spoke to Mitchelton, the riders did, about putting a couple of guys on the front to try and keep the pressure on that day. I think the decision not to do that could be costly, but he was off the front for around 80km in baking heat. One argument is that it's as hard out there as it is in the bunch. But you're still out front.

"If that break and time bonus turns out to be the winning margin, then that's great because he's gone outside the box. Likewise, we couldn't have put Mike in that move. We couldn't have replicated that. Bevin was in a unique position, and flying under most people's radars. In the end of the day he had five seconds, but so did Storer and I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up top five or top 10, but this is good. It makes people think that this race isn't a foregone conclusion."

55km remaining from 129km

Over the past 5km, the peloton has pulled back another 30 seconds.The gap is now hovering at three minutes.

Rohan Dennis (Bahrain-Merida) was a bit salty when we caught up with him this morning in Unley. Here's what the time trial world champion had to say about the stage:

"Hopefully no one goes stupid on the climb up the freeway at the start – I'd appreciate that – but then it's quite a lumpy road out there, and I think a lot harder than they say.

"Yesterday was hard, but even with the [cooler] weather today, it's going to be decisive for the GC.

"The run-in to the Corkscrew's quite dangerous as well. Coming down from Cudlee Creek, before the gorge, is probably the most nerve-wracking part, and then after that it's basically about staying at the front for Corkscrew, where it's going to be about who's got the best legs."

50km remaining from 129km

There's a bit of rain falling now. Nothing that the riders will notice as it seems to be just a few drops at the moment. The new gap is 2:35

The average speed for the stage so far has been 41.7kmh

41km remaining from 129km

The leaders are going through the feed zone in Woodside, and Thomas De Gent is sitting on the back restocking his supplies from a musette. The gap is down to 2:15.

The rain is coming down a bit harder now. It's no longer just a sprinkle.

An Astana rider is leading the peloton, which is traversing suburban roads in the Adelaide Hills heading toward Lobethal.

@TeamSky Fri, 18th Jan 2019 03:01:13

34km remaining from 129km

Mitchelton-Scott's Luke Durbridge is on the front now, followed by a host of CCC Team riders and Bevin.

The gap has fallen rapidly to 1:20 with about 14km before the peloton turns onto the Gorge Road.

We also spoke with Cameron Meyer this morning at the start about yesterday's stage and what he expects today:

"Impey led that sprint from a long way out and just got rolled by Sagan and Sanchez, so it was a good day. The boys took control on that last lap and produced a top-three finish.

"Today's all important. We'll do Corkscrew the best we can and put Daryl in the best position for the climb and see what he can do.

"I don't know if the race can be won decisively [today]. It can definitely set it up. I mean if Paddy Bevin does well on the climb, he's in the box seat to challenge on Willunga. If a guy can get away, a Richie Porte or a Michael Woods, and win by 20 seconds then they set themselves up for Willunga.

"I think today is the stage that sets you up, you can't go on the back foot, you've got to go into Willunga in the position you want and today's the day to do it.

"I'm feeling OK, I think Daryl's our best opportunity. I really want to set him up today, the team's really supportive of him and he's fifth overall now with some time bonuses. If we do need to pick up bonus sprints, he's got the legs to do it. We showed last year that he can really compete with the best and he climbed with them up Willunga."

30km remaining from 129km

Durbridge continues to grind it out on the front for Micthelton-Scott ... 

Whoa! there's a new gap from the race, and it's 1:46. That's big difference. The peloton needs to get busy.

Wait a minute!! Now the time board is showing the leaders a gap of two minutes. Has the peloton blown it already?

Sütterlin has just taken a big drink and tossed away his bottle. The break must be excited by their prospects now.

28km remaining from 129km

Riders in the peloton are trying to move up, but they're spread across the road now. There's not a lot of room to move around.

Current speed in the break is 67kmh as they descend toward Cudlee Creek

CCC Team is driving the pace in the peloton as all the GC riders have gathered up behind them and Bevin. They know the fireworks are coming!

22km remaining from 129km

The leaders will be turning onto Gorge Road in 1km.

The race will turn onto Corkscrew Road for the day's signature climb at 9.4km to go. The climb tops out at 5.7 to go, and it's all downhill from there

19km remaining from 129km

De Gendt and Scotson have opened a gap on the descent down Gorge Road.

Scotson's and De Gendt's adventture was short lived. Both are back in the breakaway.

Dylan Van Baarle is at the Tour Down Under with Team Sky, and the Dutch rider has a new coach and high expectations for the coming season. You can read Daniel Benson's interview HERE

Scotson is putting in a dig on  light rise and its got a few riders in trouble.

De Gendt, Sutterlin and Cosnefroy have been gapped.

15km remaining from 129km

Sütterlin is trying to get back on terms with Scotson and Pernsteiner in the lead.

Scotson has attacked again!

Scotson is a local and wants to win badly. He's using his knowledge of the roads to work the other over.

12km remaining from 129km

Sütterlin caught Scotson and Pernsteiner and quickly went on the attack. They're descending madly now. This trio will probably hit the Corkscrew climb in the lead

Back in the bunch, Team Sky is leading the chase.

The leaders have turned onto Corkscrew Road. They'll be climbing soon.

De Gendt and White are behind the three leaders and just in front of the peloton

8km remaining from 129km

The leaders have about half a minute on the bunch, De Gent and White about 14 seconds.

7km remaining from 129km

Team Sky is pacing the bunch the climb, with Bevin tucked on the wheels.

6km remaining from 129km

The bunch has swept up all but Pernsteiner and Scotson, but it won't be long

Only Pernsteiner remains now, but the bunch is nipping at his heels.

Bevin is fighting lightly behind the Team Sky trio. Woods and Porte are right there as well. 

Poels jumps as they catch Pernsteiner. Woods and Porte follow.

6km remaining from 129km

Woods takes the lead now, followed by Porte, Bennett and Poels.

Bevin has lost contact with the leaders, who are riding away.

Bennett is leading, followed by Woods, Porte and Poels.

Porte takes a dig, but Bennett takes over quickly. Bennett, Porte, Woods, Poels and a rider from Sunweb chasing. 

The lead quartet are descending now.

2km remaining from 129km

They're taking turn up front without anybody missing a turn. It looks moe and more like the winner will come from these four riders: Bennett, Poels, Woods and Porte.

2km remaining from 129km

Bevin has led the chase back to the leaders. The bunch i just behind them now. There's now a lead group of 15 or so.

1km remaining from 129km

It's a 20-rider lead group heading to the finish.

Impey gets the win ahead of Bevin and Sanchez!!!

Sanchez came through the final corner in the lead but was quickly overtaken by Bevin, who appeared to be sprinting to another stage win. But it was Impey who had the quickest final surge as Bevin began to fade.

Bevin keeps the race lead by seven seconds over Impey and 11 over Sanchez

Stage 4 top 10:
 

1 Daryl Impey (RSA) Mitchelton-Scott 3:03:27
2 Patrick Bevin (NZl) CCC Team
3 Luis Leon Sanchez (Esp) Astana
4 Ruben Guerriro (Por) Katusha Alpecin
5 Ruben Fernandez (Esp) Movistar
6 George Bennett (NZl) Jumbo-Visma
7 Diego Ulissi (ita) UAE Team Emirates
8 Michael Woods (Can) EF Education First
9 Chris Hamilton (Aus) Team Sunweb
10 Dylan van Baarle (Ned) Team Sky

General Classification after stage 4:

1 Patrick Bevin (NZl) CCC Team 13:23:30
2 Daryl Impey (RSA) Mitchelton-Scott 0:00:07
3 Luis Leon Sanchez (Esp) Astana 0:00:11
4 Chris Hamilton (Aus) Team Sunweb 0:00:21
5 Ryan Gibbons (RSA) Dimension Data
6 Jan Polanc (Slo) UAE Team Emirates
7 George Bennett (NZl) Jumbo-Visma
8 Ruben Guerriro (Por) Katusha Alpecin
9 Diego Ulissi (ita) UAE Team Emirates
10 Michael Woods (Can) EF Education First

Daryl Impey wins stage 4 of the Tour Down Under (Getty Images)