
Danny van Poppel once against gave a fine lead-out for his Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe sprinter, Sam Welsford, but was then relegated after some very dubious moving about in the bunch once his turn was done.
Welsford overcame and early crash, and being dropped late in the stage, to claim his second victory in two days. However, young Danish rider Tobias Lund Andresen (Team Picnic PostNL) may have beaten him but for Van Poppel impeding his path.
When Van Poppel pulled off to complete the lead-out in the bunch sprint into Tanunda, Weslford surged forward but looked slightly laboured. Lund Andresen was on his wheel, and then came off it and began gaining ground on Welsford.
However, just as the Dane was about to fully open his gallop, Van Poppel moved to his right, across Lund Andresen's part and forcing him to brake.
That move by the Dutchman not only took Lund Andresen out of the reckoning, but also significantly slowed Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious), who was a little further back and right up against the barriers.
In the end, Welsford claimed a clear win from Belgium's Arne Marit (Intermarché-Wanty) and Bryan Coquard (Cofidis).
Lund Andresen crossed the line, back in 5th, gesticulating in frustration after seeing a real chance of beating Welsford slipping through his fingers due to Van Poppel's move across the road.
And though Van Poppel was relegated from 8th place to the back of the bunch - in 118th - that sanction was of little use to Lund Andresen, who took seven wins last year and looks like one to watch this season.
Final sprint at stage 2 #TourDownUnder
Danny van Poppel relegated but his team mate, Sam Welsford, takes a second win pic.twitter.com/Nlbkhlz0KM— StickyBottle.com ? ? (@sticky_bottle) January 22, 2025