Caleb Ewan has said he could not have asked for a better start to 2017 after the Orica Scott rider picked up his third win in four stages of the Santos Tour Down Under.
Ewan said to his team's press office after beating World Champion Peter Sagan in the sprint in Campbelltown: “I really couldn’t have asked for a better start to the year
“My team again did an amazing job. They really backed me on a circuit that could have gone either way and I think you saw on TV that they really committed to the chase and they were really committed to another win today.”
“All of the wins I have had in the past few days, the finishes have been really different. I knew this one was going to be tough but it was tough for all of the sprinters
“Today was a tricky one. It is hard for a lead out train to stay together down the gorge. I was with Daryl Impey for most of it and he did a mega job. He had to move me up but then he pretty much took me to 300metres to go too so it was an amazing turn.”
Ewan credited the team and his growing experience and strength for his success that today saw him once again edge out world champion Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Danny Van Poppel (Tream Sky).
“All of the victories are thanks to the team,” Ewan said. “Without them, and without their support obviously I couldn’t have got the victories that I have. It’s a victory for me but it’s also a massive victory for the team.”
“I’m another year stronger, I’m not fatiguing as much as I used to and I seem to be able to back up stage after stage at the moment.
“Tomorrow we will go for Simon Gerrans and Esteban Chaves, so I will go back into a support role.”
Stage 4 Results
1. Caleb Ewan (ORICA-SCOTT) 3:45:19
2. Peter Sagan (Bora Hangrohe) ST
3. Danny Van Poppel (Team Sky) ST
Tour Down Under – Stage 4 General Classification
1. Richie Porte (BMC Racing Team) 14:20:18
2. Gorka Izaguirre (Movistar) +0:20
3. Esteban Chaves (ORICA-SCOTT) +0:22
Source: DSG
