For Mitchelton-Scott sports director Matt White, Caleb Ewan's third-place finish in the People's Choice Classic matters little in the bigger scheme of his impending Tour de France debut this July.
Ewan won the previous two editions of the Tour Down Under dress rehearsal in Adelaide's east end, but was forced to settle for third and watch as Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) sailed by after hitting out early.
"He is the world champion and I've said before, there is a lot more competition here and it is good," White told Cyclingnews at the team car following the 50.6km evening criterium. "We are getting ready for the Tour de France and the more we race these guys the better."
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Speaking to Cyclingnews before the race, Ewan also suggested the sprints would be "a bit more competitive," adding afterwards that Bora's double threat of Sagan and Sam Bennett looks dangerous once racing starts proper on Tuesday.
"He looks to be in good form," Ewan said of the world champion. "We knew he would always be one to watch and they have two cards to play with Sam and himself so it is always going to be a bit tricky to know which one is going to sprint. Now I know which guys to look out for."
Explaining his sprint to the line, Ewan said that a variety of factors contributed to his late fade to third, after initially taking the front position.
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