Caleb Ewan is experiencing a busy start to the season. Despite winning the national criterium championships in Australia, he faced a setback when he fell ill just before the Tour Down Under. Even so, the Australian competed for victory in the first stage, but was unable to maintain the pace until the end.
Too hot in the opening stage
“It was hot, phew. I thought it was a strange day because the peloton stayed together for a long time before the sprint. My legs were fine, but my heart rate was really high,” admitted Ewan, in a post-race interview.
The heat was present on a day when the pace was calm. Jayco AlUla had a strong position in the last 10 kilometers, with Luke Plapp accelerating the peloton, but the team was attacked in key places.
Guiltless companions
“I can’t blame my teammates, they helped me perfectly”, thanks Ewan. However, it is not a result that can satisfy the Australian, even if his presence in the race was at risk until very recently, due to flu.
“I was in Sam’s circle, but I just couldn’t get out. I knew it could happen, but I can take positive things with me to the next sprint stage”, concluded the cyclist who has already won 9 stages of the Tour Down Under (2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020).
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