Jasper Philipsen put his name on the first victory of the 2019 year for UAE Team Emirates, being awarded the win for Stage 5 of the 2019 Santos Men’s Tour Down Under after Caleb Ewan was regelated to the back of the pack for an irregular sprint.
The 20-year-old new professional only needed five days of racing to take his first win in UAE Team Emirates colours. That came in Strathalbyn after 149.5km of racing from Glenelg in the Tour Down Under’s fifth stage.
“It’s an important victory for me, my first WorldTour race, but it arrived in a strange way, so I missed that feeling of crossing the line first. Still, success is always beautiful and I’m very content to have taken it,” Philipsen said. “The final, just like in the past days, had a lot of movement. There was a good fight for position and a crash, but I was in good position for the last curve.
I feel that I have strength and spark, and like that I was able to realise a good sprint.
Thanks to the team and the sponsors who wanted me and brought me into this team. And to all my team-mates for the contestant support that they gave these days“.
UAE Team Emirates keeps command of the team classification, while Jan Polanc climbed to fifth place overall at 26″ from leader Patrick Beven (CCC). Diego Ulissi sits 11th at 26″ and Pogačar 14th also at 26”. The last stage Sunday arrives on top of Willunga Hill, which will decide the final overall of the Australian stage race.
Ewan Disappointed
“This is very disappointing,” said Ewan after the stage. “I was so looking forward to my first official victory for Lotto Soudal. After crossing the line, it felt like a massive relief, but the next moment all of that joy disappeared when I heard that I had been relegated. Nevertheless, the team did a great job today. It was a tricky and hectic day with a lot of wind. Before the stage, everyone knew that there was a possibility of echelons, but the team kept me in front all day long. I could also start the finale in a perfect position.
“During the final kilometres, I was on Peter Sagan’s wheel but Philipsen tried to take that spot as he tried to push me out of Sagan’s wheel. You are not allowed to take your hands off the handlebars in the sprint so I used my head to avoid ending up in the barriers. Head movements are of course clearly visible on a helicopter shot but a lot of former sprinters will confirm that my maneuver was not irregular.
“Of course, I have to accept the decision taken by the jury, but I don’t agree with it. I wanted to protect myself and the whole peloton against a crash. The commissaires did not listen to our side of the story before taking the final decision. It will take a couple of days to process the disappointment. Now, it’s mainly about finishing the Tour Down Under on a good note and focusing on new goals afterwards.”
Sagan Squeezes Through For Second
“The day turned out as expected. The strong breeze stretched the peloton at times but in the end, we had a bunch sprint. I had good legs and went for the stage win but I was squeezed and couldn’t make it. My form is good, the team did an excellent job today and we’ll fight again tomorrow on the last stage of the Tour Down Under.” – Peter Sagan
Bevin Holds Overall Lead Despite Crash
Patrick Bevin experienced the highs and lows of cycling on stage five of the Santos Tour Down Under with the race leader putting another five seconds into his General Classification rivals, before crashing in the final 10 kilometers.
Bevin was one of the first to go down in the crash, with strong winds and expected bunch sprint making for a nervous finale, and despite his obvious pain, the New Zealander was able to get back on the bike and start to chase back.
A classy show of respect for Bevin’s leader’s jersey from Mitchelton-SCOTT saw the peloton slow down for the next five kilometers and with the help of his teammates, Bevin pushed through the pain and was able to rejoin the bunch with three kilometers remaining.
Upon crossing the line, Bevin was immediately taken to the race ambulance and transported to hospital for observation, where X-Rays and CT scans fortunately confirmed that there were no fractures, however Bevin sustained multiple contusions and bruised ribs and hip.
Bevin will be observed overnight and will undergo a concussion test on Sunday morning to determine whether he is able to start stage six and attempt to defend his race lead to become the first New Zealander to win the Santos Tour Down Under.
2019 Santos Men’s Tour Down Under: Stage 5 Brief Results
- Jasper Philipsen (UAE Team Emirates ) 3h37’00”
- Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) s.t.
- Danny Van Poppel (Team Jumbo-Visma) s.t.
General Classification After Stage 5
- Patrick Bevin (CCC Team) 17h00’25”
- Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott) at 7″
- Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) at 16″
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