Battaglin 10th in what supposed to be a Tour Down Under stage with echelons
Team LottoNL-Jumbo expected a lot from the fourth stage of the Tour Down Under. The profile seemed to be perfect to force echelons, but the wind did not arrive Friday and a sprint decided the stage. Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEDGE) was the strongest, Enrico Battaglin finished 10th behind.
“This stage was supposed to be one with echelons,” sports director Frans Maassen said after the finish in Victor Harbor. “We previewed this stage last week because of the chance we might be able to force echelons. Today, there wasn’t so much wind, though. With 20 kilometres to go, the riders had to climb a tough last hill. Only 40 riders survived that climb, and Battaglin, Primoz Roglic and George Bennett were among them. With seven kilometres to go, another 25 riders, with some fast men, closed the gap to the first group unfortunately. Enrico lost the sprint already in the fight for the positions.”
Battaglin was fed up after his 10th place. “This stage was a big chance for me,” he added. “I was in good position during the final climb. I lost my position before the final two corners before the sprint. That’s where I lost this sprint, but Orica-GreenEDGE was also really strong yet another time.”
