Photo gallery: Stage 2 of the 2018 Tour Down Under
It wasn’t supposed to be a day for Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott). The finish was supposed to be too tough, and Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) was supposed to be too strong. But it seems no one told Ewan that.
The pocket-sized speedster defied his doubters to take a sterling win in Stirling, with his lead-out man Daryl Impey finishing second. After a couple of near misses in recent days, it was a compelling return to form for Ewan.
What else might he be capable of in the days ahead? Another stage win or two? He’ll be in the leader’s jersey tomorrow and another stage win is certainly a possibility.
In the meantime, be sure to check out these great photos from stage 2 of the 2018 Santos Tour Down Under courtesy of Tim Bardsley-Smith.
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- Andre Greipel, leader of the Tour Down Under.
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- Mitch Docker threads his way through startline pits.
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- Nathan Haas has a chat to Cyclingnews’ Zeb Woodpower.
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- Nicholas Dlamini was pleased with himself after winning the KOM jersey on stage 1. He’d renew his lease on the jersey on stage 2.
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- The luscious locks of Scott Bowden.
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- The day’s main breakaway: Scott Bowden, Jaime Castrillo and Will Clarke.
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- Nicholas Dlamini had been with them, but after winning the day’s only KOM he drifted back to the bunch.
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- It was a tough day out on course for the riders with temperatures peaking at 38ºC.
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- The hilly Stirling circuit is tough for riders that aren’t the best uphill.
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- Castrillo went it alone with roughly 70km to go.
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- Bahrain-Merida did most of the damage on the front of the bunch, bringing the leaders’ advantage from more than six minutes down to nothing.
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- Manuele Boaro has had a passenger all week.
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- The final sprint for stage honours.
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- Daryl Impey went one way, while his teammate Caleb Ewan went the other on Peter Sagan’s wheel.
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- Sagan was in front of Ewan …
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- … and then he was behind.
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- McCarthy latched on …
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- … but it was Ewan that was able to take the win ahead of his teammate Impey.
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- Alex Edmondson had earned a drink after helping to lead Ewan out.
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- Simon Gerrans catches up with his kids post-stage. The four-time former winner dropped 32 seconds on the stage.
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- Riders underneath their team bus awning in the park; one of the unmistakable sights of the Tour Down Under.
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- Haas was fifth on the stage and is now likewise on GC.
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- Cooling vests for Bora-Hansgrohe.
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- More great ink for Peter Sagan.
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- Stage winner Caleb Ewan.
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- Jaime Castrillo more than earned his Most Competitive Rider award.
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- Another day in polka dots for Nicholas Dlamini.
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- Ewan is no stranger to success at the TDU having won seven stages over the past three years.
