Australian cyclist Sam Welsford clinched victory in the Tour Down Under Villawood Men’s Classic in Adelaide, successfully navigating a chaotic finish marked by a massive crash. Wearing the national criterium champion jersey, Welsford avoided the pile-up on the final high-speed corner, reaching a top speed of 68.1kph to secure his win.
The crash was triggered by Italian Andrea Raccagni of Soudal Quick-Step, who made contact with a barrier and fell, taking several riders down with him. Welsford managed to stay clear of the chaos, capitalizing on a gap and maintaining his lead through the finish line.
Earlier in the race, a breakaway group, comprising Oscar Onley, Jay Vine, and Jordan Labrosse, established a lead but was eventually reeled back in by the pursuing peloton. As the pack regained momentum, Welsford’s team managed to maneuver him effectively for the final sprint, resulting in a decisive victory. German rider Henri Uhlig finished second, and Britain’s Matthew Brennan took third place.
In the women’s category, Swiss champion Noemi Rüegg triumphed in the second stage of the women’s Tour Down Under. She secured a significant 15-second lead in the overall standings after a formidable performance on the grueling Willunga Hill. The race, which included two summits of the hill for the first time, saw Rüegg break away in the final kilometer, leaving Dutch competitor Silke Smulders trailing by 10 seconds. The high temperatures added to the challenge, pushing the athletes to their limits.
As the men’s Tour Down Under is set to officially start with a 150.7km stage from Prospect to Gumeracha, the women’s race will conclude with a challenging 105.9km circuit in the Adelaide Hills, promising intense competition in both events.