The 2024 World Tour season kicked off with the Tour Down Under, and the first stage in the Adelaide Hills was destined for the sprinters. BORA-hansgrohe, who lined up with sprinter Sam Welsford, always had the race well under control, and after 144 kilometers it came down to the expected bunch sprint. After a strong lead-out from Danny van Poppel, Sam launched his sprint and took the first victory of the season for the team from Raubling. The Australian rider will wear the leader’s jersey on tomorrow’s second stage.
Results
01 S. Welsford 3:25:56
02 P. Bauhaus +0:00
03 B. Girmay +0:00
From the Finish Line
“This was crazy! I’m lost for words. It was quite hairy down the hill and there were some crashes and near misses, but the boys kept calm and did an amazing job. It’s a dream come true – it’s the first race of the season and my first win with the team. The boys backed me one hundred per cent and winning here is really special. The team here is probably the strongest on paper with our lead out, and it all paid off today. The guys rode at the front at the beginning of the race to not allow a breakaway to escape too far, and then I had the perfect lead-out. This is a massive team win and I am really stoked for them.” – Sam Welsford
