Jan, 20th 2019 – Stage 6
McLaren Vale – Willunga Hill — 151.1 km
The Tour Down Under final stage was a very exciting closing stage for the GC and as well for the BAHRAIN MERIDA riders. Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo), a great riders from Tasmania concluded his impressive, sixth straight win on Willunga Hill. Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott) succeeded to defend his crown for the first time in the history of the race. Porte attacked several times on the final climb and won the battle.
Team Bahrain Merida accomplished their main idea from the start of the Tour Down Under by top ranking in the GC with two of our leaders, Rohan Dennis or Domenico Pozzovivo.
Rohan Dennis finished as fourth on todays’ stage and stepped at the 5th place in overall, while Domenico Pozzovivo got the 14th place at the closing stage and same position in the GC. All TBM riders can be happy with their performance at the start of the season at the biggest race of the southern hemisphere.
Rohan Dennis:
“I am pretty happy. When you know that you are not the best at the moment you always aim for the best possible result. I even surprised myself with such good result today. I am happy with the week and it is a good start of the season with TBM and that is a great team and good start on the right foot. I really appreciated what my team-mates did for me and I looking forward going to Europe and all the upcoming races with my team”.
Domenico Pozzovivo:
“It was a troubled week for me with lots of problems with my hand that I injured on training. Today I tried to stay in the peloton and do the best in the last climb. We had good tactics and I tried to follow the attack of Richie Porte, but after I stayed with George Bennett with whom I didn’t collaborate well. So I was there by Rohan who played a great role and attacked well”.
Tristan Hofmann, TBM Sports director;
“I am satisfied how all unfolded except the injury of Domenico Pozzovivo with his crash that happened just before the race. He survived in the race and all should be OK with him. I think that we did a good job here at Tour Down Under. We had good trainings and and good race. There were many strong teams here at the start of the season and all in all we can be satisfied”.
