Thursday, in the south of Australia, the riders faced one of the toughest stages of the week. With over 3,200 altimeters, it was the first stage with serious climbs this Santos Tour Down Under. Two passages of Knotts Hill caused big differences in the peloton in the finale. Matthew Brennan, Menno Huising and Gloag survived the first passage. Gloag finished in the group of favourites after the final passage over Knotts Hill, sprinting to a very deserving fifth place.

“It was a difficult and technical final”, Gloag says. “But I'm super satisfied with this result. I was a little bit out of position at the start of the last climb. Fortunately, I was able to catch up with the favourites. The team helped me a lot today with positioning, which was important. We rode well at the front of the peloton for most of the day. Dylan dropping out in the first stage was a big disappointment, but we are making the best out of it. We can be proud of how we rode as a team this stage.”

“Thomas was exactly where he needed to be in the final. With the fifth place today, a lot still remains possible for the general classification”, sports director Addy Engels knows. Gloag is enjoying his time in Australia and is determined to go for a good result in the general classification. “It’s great, I have been here for several weeks for vacation with my girlfriend and training. This is one of my favourite races I have ever done. I'm extremely happy with my form right now and the 2025 start we have as a team. Let's continue that into the second half of the Tour Down Under.” 

Brennan, who finished second in the first stage and thus made a great WorldTour debut, aimed high again for the third stage, but was too far behind on the final climb. “That's unfortunate. He felt very good, but lost some places on Knotts Hill. The fact that only a small group of favourites rode to the finish shows how difficult the final climb was. It would have been special if he had been in it”, Engels says.

Nevertheless, the sports director is very satisfied with his 19-year-old rider and the cooperation within the team. “Today was another great learning moment for Matthew. It is all new for him and he is really discovering professional cycling here. Matthew certainly shows here that he can do more than just sprinting. In addition, I really enjoyed how the guys worked together as a team. Menno was strong today and showed himself mostly at the front for the team. There is a lot of dedication among our young guys, which is a good development.”

The fourth stage of the Santos Tour Down Under may present a new sprint opportunity for Brennan. After two categorized climbs, there is still a long stretch to the finish line. “We will see how he will digest the climbs tomorrow. In addition, we have to make sure Thomas gets through the day well and is ready in the fifth stage for Willunga Hill, where the general classification will be determined.”