The Aqua Blue Sport team lead the charge on the front as stage 2 of the Herald Sun Tour hits the gravel. However, the action was soon stopped on a day of confusion (Photo: Herald Sun Tour)
Stage 2 on the Herald Sun Tour was a day of confusion
Lasse Norman Hansen (Aqua Blue Sport) has retained the race lead at the Herald Sun Tour.
A late mechanical meant he could not contest the final sprint. And it was initially reported in some quarters that he had lost the race lead.
The mix-up about his result came at the end of a day of confusion, when racing was even halted for a period.
Race organisers believe planned road works on the route were not starting until after the race was over.
However, before today’s stage 2 – some 198.6km from Warrnambool to Ballarat – it became clear the road works were started.
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It meant the stage had to be rerouted. As a result a 7km stretch of dirt road was added to the route.
But when the racing reached that section it quickly became clearly it was unsuitable for racing and arguably unsafe.
And though a breakaway was more than two minutes clear at the time, the whole race was stopped.
Aqua Blue Sport was leading the charge in the peloton at the time; looking to split up the field on the gravel.
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The gap between breakaway and bunch was recorded when racing was halted.
And when the riders and vehicles got to the end of the dirt track the gap was reinstated.
In the end they were pegged back and the stage was contest by a group of almost 50 riders.
Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) took victory from Steele Von Hoff; the Bennelong SwissWellness having also finished 2nd yesterday when Hansen won the took the raced lead.
And while the aforementioned Hansen would fancy his chances in a finish like today’s, we was well down the lead group.
His saddle slipped, effectively ruining his chances. Though he put in a spirited early sprint effort, he would fade to 38th. It was still enough to retain his race lead.
Best placed of the Aqua Blue Sport men was Larry Warbasse. The US national champion was 13th on the day.
And he will be the team leader for tomorrow, with the race going up Lake Mountain.
While Hansen retains the lead, his margin has been cut. He had 9 and 10 seconds on hand on Cameron Meyer (Mitchelton-Scott) and Von Hoff respectively this morning.
But due to Von Hoff’s time bonus he jumps into 2nd place at just four seconds. As a result Meyer is now third, still nine seconds down.
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