Giacomo Nizzolo (NTT Pro Cycling) sprinted to the stage 5 victory at the Santos Tour Down Under, beating Simone Consonni (Cofidis) and Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quickstep) to take top honours.
The 149km Stage 5 of the Santos Tour Down proved to be one of the most thrilling of the week-long UCI World Tour race so far. Mitchelton-Scott took advantage of a sharp climb with 20km to go and split the peloton in the hope of delivering defending champion, Daryl Impey, to the line.
NTT Pro Cycling’s Giacomo Nizzolo had just missed the front group, but as had been strategized before the stage, the Italian’s teammates rallied around him to bring him to back to the reduced group.
With Nizzolo now back into contention, the NTT Pro Cycling team worked on the front of the group to neutralize the remaining leading break that included the likes of Impey and race leader, Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo).
With a front group of only 60-odd riders charging to line in Victor Harbor, NTT Pro Cycling had strong representation with 6 riders in front and were able to take charge of the sprint finish in the final 5km.
Nizzolo finished off an excellent leadout from his team, sprinting to an emphatic victory. A first for the team this season and in the new colours of NTT.
“I can’t thank the team enough because today they did a great, great job,” said Nizzolo at the finish. “It was the plan, if I was a bit dropped, they had to wait for me on the climb and they did it perfectly. Then they also did a perfect leadout, I was perfectly placed in the final and then I just had to put everything I had left into the pedals and it worked out in the end. I am so happy, this is a good feeling to get the win in our new team colours.”
Impey Takes Over Race Lead
Two-time winner and defending champion Daryl Impey moved into the race lead after today’s stage.
Impey picked up five bonus seconds at the two immediate sprints to overtake Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) in the overall standings and will take a two-second lead into the final stage up Willunga tomorrow.
With 16 seconds on offer at the start of the day, Mitchelton-SCOTT went in pursuit of as many as possible in an attempt to set Impey up for the final day of racing.
Finishing second for two seconds at the first intermediate, the South African champion went one better to pick up three bonus seconds at the second intermediate sprint. The combination of five seconds put Impey in the virtual lead by two seconds.
“It’s fantastic to lead the race going into Willunga,” Impey commented. “I’m chuffed at all of the work the guys have been doing, it’s been fantastic.
“The whole week we’ve been trying to get into the lead here and put myself in a position tomorrow to beat Richie. I’m two seconds up, I don’t know if it’s enough but we’ve given ourselves every chance to win this bike race and it’s all up to tomorrow.
“We did exactly what we planned on the climb. Lucas set a hell of a tempo up there, there was only 10 guys left so we had a very select group. I was praying that group would make it to the line because I fancied my chances there.”
2020 Tour Down Under – Stage 5 Brief Results:
- Giacomo Nizzolo (NTT Pro Cycling) 3:32:45
- Simone Consonni (Cofidis) ST
- Sam Bennett (Deceuninck – Quickstep) ST
2020 Tour Down Under – General Classification after Stage 5:
- Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-SCOTT) 17:12:15
- Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) +0:02
- Robert Power (Team Sunweb) +0:09
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
Websites:
Bike World News
Ron’s Bike Garage
Current Bike Quiver:
Bird Bikes Zero 29 29″ hardtail mountain bike
Commencal Absolut 26″ Dirt Jump/Pump Track bike
Commencal Tempo 29″ full suspension mountain bike
Felt ZA 700c race bike
Kona Kilauea vintage 26″ mountain bike
Niner RLT9 700c road/gravel bike
Specialized Stumpjumper vintage 26″ mountain bike
Day Job: Digital Marketing
Night Job: Digital Marketing, eCommerce Consultant, Web Consultant, Bike Shop Operator, Husband, Dad, Tenor