Having proven his form and condition at the Australian National Championships earlier in the month, Nathan Haas has confirmed he will be a protagonist in the fight for the Tour Down Under podium across the first three stages of the WorldTour opener.
There was no change to Haas' fifth place overall on stage 3 to Victor Harbor, as he safely navigated the sprint stage while several of his rivals lost time and dropped down the rankings.
Fifth overall in 2014, the Dimension Data rider would take a podium place at the end of the week but is also looking for the possibility of a stage win. Stage 4 of the race finishes in Campbelltown, where the 27-year-old finished second to Cadel Evans in 2014, and is probably Haas' best opportunity for a stage win with Willunga Hill likely to be won by a climber, and Sunday's stage by the likes of a Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott).
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"Yes and no," Haas told Cyclingnews when asked if he is aiming for the podium. "Obviously, I want it but they put a lot of time into us and there is not enough time bonuses on the road. So I think if creative opportunities present themselves, I will take the risk but I think maybe a stage win would also be a really nice thing to take away."
Richie Porte holds a 20-second advantage over the injured Gorka Izaguire (Movistar) and Orica-Scott's Esteban Chaves is a further two seconds back, putting the BMC rider in an enviable position ahead of Willunga Hill. Whereas in previous years he has been chasing the general classification lead in the run-up to Willunga, Porte holds the aces going into the queen stage of the race.
Seventh in 2014 when Porte started his winning streak on Willunga, Haas explained that his Paracombe performance has him feeling confident and willing to take on the status as a dangerous rival in the fight for the podium knowing that his current form and ability to steal intermediate sprint seconds ensure he will be a man to watch.
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