On the strength of a vicious attack on Torrens Hill BMC Racing Team’s Rohan Dennis soloed to victory and into the race lead Thursday at the Santos Tour Down Under. His BMC Racing Team teammate Cadel Evans finished second.
Team’s First Win of 2015
Dennis crossed the finish line three seconds ahead of his teammate Cadel Evans and Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin). Although the hour record contender had to switch plans in the final, he is very satisfied with his win and the overall lead. “The plan for me was to attack at the bottom of the Torrens Hill climb to put the pressure on Richie Porte (Team Sky) and the other contenders and let Cadel just sit back”, Dennis said. “Obviously I was too far behind to actually follow that plan.” Winning in front of his home country’s crowd Dennis also takes the first BMC Racing Team’s win of the season.
One-Two overall classifications
The 143.2 km stage that was marked by a four man breakaway that gained a freedom of maximum 3 minutes 30 seconds. The last remaining attacker was caught heading to the 1.2 km final climb. BMC Racing Team’s Cadel Evans who is now second overall, 7 seconds behind his teammate Dennis, is happy how it worked really well for the BMC Racing Team today. “We had a plan on covering on two bases, but of course I also want to be able to lend a favor to my teammates where I can and where it’s favorable”, Evans said. “We had Rohan and Peter ready to do an attack anywhere where they could and it worked out really well for us.” With three more days to go Evans remains the team leader Dennis said: “Obviously we are both protected riders but Cadel is still a leader in my eyes.”
Notes
Besides the overall classification (Ochre jersey), Dennis also leads the Subaru King of the mountain and the Cycle Instead young rider classification. While his BMC Racing Team teammate Cadel Evans, second overall, tops the Iinet sprint classification. The BMC Racing Team leads the Virgin Australia winning team classification after stage 3 in Santos Tour Down Under.
Rohan Dennis will attempt the Hour Record on Sunday 8 February at the Velodrome Suisse in Grenchen.
