Tour Down Under 2015: Results stage 3 - Rohan Dennis seizes power

The 3rd stage boils down to the 1.2 kilometres finish climb at 9.9%. Under the flag of the last kilometer is Rohan Dennis attacks en he solos to victory. Tom Dumoulin and Richie Porte are chasing, while good old Cadel Evans attacks in the final metres to claim second place. (Slideshow route/profile)

Tour Down Under 2015: Results 3rd stage

1. Rohan Dennis (aus)
2. Cadel Evans (aus) + 0.03
3. Tom Dumoulin (Nld) s.t.
4. Maxime Bouet (fra) + 0.05
5. Michael Rogers (aus) s.t.
6. Richie Porte (aus) s.t.
7. Jack Haig (aus) s.t.
8. Ruben Fernandez (spa) s.t.
9. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) s.t.
10. Simon Geschke (Ger) + 0.13

GC after stage 3
1. Rohan Dennis (aus)
2. Cadel Evans (aus) + 0.07
3. Tom Dumoulin (Nld) + 0.09
4. Richie Porte (aus) + 0.15
5. Jack Hai (aus) s.t.
6. Ruben Fernandez (spa) s.t.
7. Michael Rogers (aus) s.t.
8. Maxime Bouet (fra) s.t.
9. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) s.t.
10. Daryl Impey (Rsa) + 0.22

Race Report
Temperatures are soaring in Adelaide, but Will Clarke does not seem to mind. He takes off and after 10 kilometres of chasing Lasse Norman Hansen, Calvin Watson en Axel Domont join him.

One by one the leaders are dropped until the initiator of the break is alone upfront again. Not for too long. With 9 kilometres left Will Clarke is swallowed by the pack.

At the foot of the final climb of 1.2 kilometres at 9.9% all GC men are good positioned. Porte, Evans, Dumoulin and Pozzovivo break free and when the group comes back at 500 metres, Rohan Dennis attacks. Nobody responds, apparently thinking it’s a set up for Dennis’ team-mate Cadel Evans. By the time Porte, Dumoulin and Pozzovivo start the chase it’s too late and the 24 year old Australian solos to victory.

Evans makes good use of his tons of experience. After letting the others chase, he attacks in the final metres to take second place. He bests Tom Dumoulin on the line and they claim second and third place, earning bonus-seconds.

These three riders now make up the podium – Dennis, Evans, Dumoulin, with Richie Porte 15 seconds behind in the same time as Jack Haig

It’s going to be an interesting day when stage 5 heads to Willunga Hill!