Tour Down Under 2017: Ewan bests Sagan on the line in 3rd stage, Porte still leader

Caleb Ewan outpowers world champion Peter Sagan in the bunch sprint in Victor Harbor to take his second stage victory in this year's Tour Down Under. Richie Porte is still in the overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 3rd stage 2017 Tour Down Under

1. Caleb Ewan (aus)
2. Peter Sagan (svk) s.t.
3. Niccolo Bonifazio (ita) s.t.
4. Danny van Poppel (nld) s.t.
5. Edward Theuns (bel) s.t.
6. Nikias Arndt (ger) s.t.
7. Sean De Bie (bel) s.t.
8. Lorrenzo Manzin (fra) s.t.
9. Ruben Guerreiro (por) s.t.
10. Baptiste Plankaert (bel) s.t.

GC after stage 3
1. Richie Porte (aus)
2. Gorka Izagirre (spa) + 0.20
3. Esteban Chaves (col) + 0.22
4. Jay McCarthy (aus) + 0.24
5. Nathan Haas (aus) + 0.27
6. Rohan Dennis (aus) s.t.
7. Luis León Sánchez (spa) s.t.
8. Diego Ulissi (ita) s.t.
9. Rafael Valls (spa) s.t.
10. Robert Gesink (nld) s.t.

Race report
Thomas De Gent initiated the breakaway and he was joined by Vegard Stake Laegen, Clement Chevrier and Jeremy Masion. They race to a lead of around 4 minutes, while De Gendt scoops all KOM-points underway. So the Belgian now has the same amount of point as race leader Richie Porte.

The advantage of the four is halved when entering the finishing circuits in Victor Habor and one after the other they are reeled in. Laengen being the last one with 5 kilometres remaining.

Within the 3 kms zone a crash took down some riders with Gorka Izagirre the most prominent victim. The major contenders for stage win were still on their bikes and Ewan bested Sagan to sprint to his second victory in the 2017 Tour Down Under.

Leader Porte finished safe and sound. The Tasmanian is in a perfect position to win his first Tour Down Under. The next key stage (stage 5) goes to Willuna Hill, where Porte took the stage win in last three editions.