Resilient Sam Welsford Claims Back-to-Back Stage Wins at Tour Down Under

Posted : 22 January 2025

Australian cyclist Sam Welsford delivered a determined performance to secure his second consecutive stage win at the Tour Down Under on Wednesday, despite an early crash that left him bloodied and bruised. The victory marked Welsford's fifth career stage win at the season-opening UCI World Tour race.

His triumph was made possible by the exceptional teamwork of his Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe squad, particularly Dutch lead-out rider Danny van Poppel, who played a pivotal role in positioning him for the decisive sprint. The 128.8km stage unfolded in South Australia's Barossa wine region, where Welsford surged ahead in the final moments to claim victory.

Wearing a torn ochre leader's jersey and nursing injuries from his fall, Welsford managed a more dominant win compared to his narrow victory in the opening stage. He crossed the finish line ahead of Germany's Arne Marit (Intermarche-Wanty) and Frenchman Bryan Coquard (Cofidis). Welsford now leads the general classification by 14 seconds over Marit and British Team Visma rider Matthew Brennan as the race heads into its third stage.

Reflecting on his crash, Welsford described the challenging day: "I lost some bark (skin) in the first five kilometers, which was less than ideal. On the last climb, I was on my limit, but my teammates kept me calm and positioned me perfectly."

The Australian praised Van Poppel's crucial assistance in helping him rejoin the peloton after the climb, giving him the opportunity to finish the stage with a spectacular sprint. "Danny put me back on after the climb, and I was happy to finish it off for him," Welsford said.

The thrilling final moments saw Welsford bumping shoulders with rival riders as he maneuvered into position for his decisive push to the line. He expressed his determination to succeed despite the odds: "I told the boys, 'Get me back on, and I'm going to win this bloody thing.'"

With the second stage offering sprinters their last chance for victory until the race's final day, the Tour now shifts to terrain more suited for climbers and general classification contenders. Meanwhile, Fergus Browning (ARA Australia) extended his lead in the King of the Mountain classification to 26 points after featuring in an early three-rider breakaway. As the competition intensifies, Welsford's resilience and his team's cohesive efforts have set a high standard for the remainder of the race.

Resilient Sam Welsford Claims Back-to-Back Stage Wins at Tour Down Under

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