Tour Down Under

24-01-2009 14:07:41

Team Milram newcomer Thomas Rohregger is putting on a strong performance for his new employer with his aggressive riding style at the 11th Tour Down Under (January 20-15/UCI ProTour).  The Austrian was again one of the most active riders on the 148 kilometers between Snapper Point and Willunga, finishing 13th in the sprint.   Australian Allan Davis from Team Quick celebrated his third stage win in the fifth stage and built up his overall lead.  Second in the mass sprint was Joaquin Rojas Gil (Caisse d’Epargne) ahead of Swiss rider Martin Elmiger (AG2r).

Team Milram was aggressive on the stage, especially in the finale.  On the circuit course, which included a sharp climb in each round, Austrian newcomer Thomas Rorhegger again showed his climbing talent and gathered additional points for the mountain ranking, in which he is now fifth.  Earlier in the day, Martin Müller was in a group which caught an earlier break group of eight riders.  This group, around Australian Travis Meyer (UniSA) had formed in the first kilometers of the day and built up a lead of over three minutes, before being caught again on the difficult second half of the stage.  From then on it was a constant stream of escape attempts but in the end it came down to another mass sprint.

The sixth stage of the Tour Down Under on Sunday is on a 4.5 km circuit trhough Adelaide.  After 20 laps and a total of 90 km, the winner is expected to come in a mass sprint.  The finish is expected at about 6:15 (MEZ).