After the longest stage in recent Herald Sun Tour history at 218 kilometres, Esteban Chaves was basking in the glory as the stage winner and new overall race leader. A 17-kilometre solo attack from the finish line at the Lake Mountain netted Chaves his first win on Australian soil and first victory since the 2016 Il Lombardia.
Chaves was full of gratitude for his teammates for their roles in setting up victory and slingshotting him into the yellow jersey with one stage remaining. The 28-year-old will start the hilly Kinglake circuit, which the peloton navigate five times, with teammates Cameron Meyer second overall at 32 seconds, and defending champion Damien Howson third at 39 seconds. An all Mitchelton-Scott podium is the likely outcome.
"I am really happy to start the season in this form. It is a really hard and tough race. It is not easy. It is nearly six hours on the bike but we have a really strong team, really strong guys and in the end, we have the jersey and we have the stage. It is a pretty special feeling," the ever-smiling Chaves said.
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"When it is not easy, keep the feet on the ground, work hard and work with love for what we do."
Breaking down the team plan for the 20-kilometre climb up Lake Mountain, Chaves explained the winning tactics and his decision to move from so far out.
"I try and if the guys come back, we have the other options with Cameron and Damo we can keep everyone together," he said of the climb.
"Lucky for me I arrive at the finish line. Congratulations also to Edmondson and Hepburn, they did a really good job. They pull like five hours and this is not easy."
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest News http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/17-kilometre-attack-nets-chaves-his-first-win-since-2016
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