Tour Down Under: Stage 5

Belgian Jasper Philipsen wins stage 5 of the Tour Down Under after Caleb Ewan relegated – Bevin continues to lead overall despite crash

Tour Down Under: Stage 5

Jasper Philipsen put his name on the first victory of the 2019 year for UAE Team Emirates. The 20-year-old new professional only needed five days of racing to take his first win in UAE Team Emirates colours. That came in Strathalbyn after 149.5km of racing from Glenelg in the Tour Down Under’s fifth stage.

Philipsen was not the first rider over the line, instead it was Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal). However, the jury regulated Ewan to the back of the pack for an irregular sprint and gave the honours to Philipsen, second over the line.

Jasper Philipsen: “It’s an important victory for me, my first WorldTour race, but it arrived in a strange way, so I missed that feeling of crossing the line first. Still, success is always beautiful and I’m very content to have taken it,” Philipsen said.

“The final, just like in the past days, had a lot of movement. There was a good fight for position and a crash, but I was in good position for the last curve. I feel that I have strength and spark, and like that I was able to realise a good sprint. Thanks to the team and the sponsors who wanted me and brought me into this team. And to all my team-mates for the contestant support that they gave these days“.

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Caleb Ewan: ”This is very disappointing. I was so looking forward to my first official victory for Lotto Soudal. After crossing the line, it felt like a massive relief, but the next moment all of that joy disappeared when I heard that I had been relegated. Nevertheless, the team did a great job today. It was a tricky and hectic day with a lot of wind. Before the stage, everyone knew that there was a possibility of echelons, but the team kept me in front all day long. I could also start the finale in a perfect position.”

“During the final kilometres, I was on Peter Sagan’s wheel but Philipsen tried to take that spot as he tried to push me out of Sagan’s wheel. You are not allowed to take your hands off the handlebars in the sprint so I used my head to avoid ending up in the barriers. Head movements are of course clearly visible on a helicopter shot but a lot of former sprinters will confirm that my manoeuvre was not irregular.”
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“Of course, I have to accept the decision taken by the jury, but I don’t agree with it. I wanted to protect myself and the whole peloton against a crash. The commissaires did not listen to our side of the story before taking the final decision. It will take a couple of days to process the disappointment. Now, it’s mainly about finishing the Tour Down Under on a good note and focusing on new goals afterwards.”

Peter Sagan: “The day turned out as expected. The strong breeze stretched the peloton at times but in the end, we had a bunch sprint. I had good legs and went for the stage win but I was squeezed and couldn’t make it. My form is good, the team did an excellent job today and we’ll fight again tomorrow on the last stage of the Tour Down Under.” – Peter Sagan

Gallant recovery from crash for Ochre-wearer
While the dramatic result to the race will have fans talking after a big day in Strathalbyn, it was a crash that felled Santos Ochre Leader’s jersey-wearer Patrick Bevin (CPT) just 10km from the finish line that will draw the sympathies of the peloton and fans alike. The New Zealander hit the road with a group of riders on the approach to the finishing town, and was aided by teammates back to his bike.

Flitting through the convoy back into the peloton in obvious pain, he managed to finish the race in the lead group. It was an impressive result, particularly given the peloton’s seemingly sportsmanlike behaviour in awaiting the recovery of the race leader, rather than pressing to the finish without him.

Patrick Bevin: “It was such a nervous stage and there was a battle for position all day. All it took was a touch of wheels and I went down. I’m pretty banged up right now but I really hope that I will be able to line up tomorrow. Fortunately, nothing is broken so we will see how I pull up in the morning.”

CCC Team doctor, Dr. Piotr Kosielski: “Patrick was taken to Calvary Wakefield Hospital in Adelaide where he underwent X-Rays and CT scans to determine his injuries. Fortunately, he did not break any bones and had no internal injuries however, he has extensive bruising and abrasions all over his body. Although the CT scan did not show signs of any head injuries, our main concern is concussion which is why we want to wait until tomorrow morning, when we will perform a concussion test, before making the final decision as to whether Patrick can line up tomorrow. We will continue to monitor his condition overnight.”

Stage 5
1 PHILIPSEN Jasper UAD BEL B:10″ 00″
2 SAGAN Peter BOH SVK B:06″ ”
3 VAN POPPEL Danny TJV NED B:04″ ”
4 DEBUSSCHERE Jens TKA BEL ”
5 VIVIANI Elia DQT ITA ”
6 BAUHAUS Phil TBM GER ”
7 *BOL Cees SUN NED ”
8 GIBBONS Ryan TDD RSA ”
9 POELS Wout SKY NED ”
10 BALLERINI Davide AST ITA ”
11 SANCHEZ GIL Luis Leon AST ESP ”
12 GUERREIRO Ruben TKA POR ”
13 PRADES REVERTER Eduard MOV ESP ”
14 POLANC Jan UAD SLO ”
15 MAS Lluis MOV ESP ”
16 POGACAR Tadej UAD SLO ”
17 SUTTERLIN Jasha MOV GER ”
18 BENNETT George TJV NZL ”
19 IMPEY Daryl MTS RSA B:05″ ”
20 POZZOVIVO Domenico TBM ITA

THE BRITS
25. Ryan Mullen
24. Dan McLay
60. Luke Rowe
71. Owain Doull
92. Scott Davies
101. James Knox
108. Alex Dowsett
115. Adam Blythe

Overall
1 BEVIN Patrick CPT NZL 17h00’25” 00″
2 IMPEY Daryl MTS RSA 17h00’32” 07″
3 SANCHEZ GIL Luis Leon AST ESP 17h00’41” 16″
4 GIBBONS Ryan TDD RSA 17h00’51” 26″
5 POLANC Jan UAD SLO ” ”
6 *GUERREIRO Ruben TKA POR ” ”
7 BENNETT George TJV NZL ” ”
8 HAMILTON Christopher SUN AUS ” ”
9 POELS Wout SKY NED ” ”
10 WOODS Michael EF1 CAN ” ”
11 ULISSI Diego UAD ITA ” ”
12 DEVENYNS Dries DQT BEL ” ”
13 VAN BAARLE Dylan SKY NED ” ”
14 POGACAR Tadej UAD SLO ” ”
15 POZZOVIVO Domenico TBM ITA ” ”
16 PORTE Richie TFS AUS ” ”
17 *HINDLEY Jai SUN AUS ” ”
18 DENNIS Rohan TBM AUS ” ”
19 HAMILTON Lucas MTS AUS 17h00’58” 33″
20 SAGAN Peter BOH SVK