As Australia's sole WorldTour team, the pressure is always on for Mitchelton-Scott to perform during the Australian summer. With two of the three major races of the six-week block of racing in their pocket, a third remains in reach at the Herald Sun Tour. The chance to add to Alex Edmondon's national road race title and Daryl Impey's Tour Down Under is all to play for.
Having blown apart the race on stage 1 from Colac to Warrnambool, Mitchelton-Scott is well placed in the battle for the leader’s yellow jersey. The 2015 champion, Cameron Meyer now sits second overall, nine seconds down on stage 1 winner Lasse Norman Hansen (Aqua Blue Sport), defending champion Damien Howson is sixth at 16 seconds, while Esteban Chaves remains in contention for the overall despite sitting 26th overall at 46 seconds.
Along with fellow WorldTour team Trek-Segafredo, Mitchelton-Scott ripped the stage apart in the crosswinds after the jaunt along the spectacular but exposed Great Ocean Road. While Trek-Segafredo and Mitchelton-Scott missed the stage win, both teams firmly inserted themselves into the GC conversation.
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As well as consolidating riders at the top of the race, the team also eliminated a number of GC contenders via its aggressive approach to the stage.
Explaining the team tactics for the stage after placing third, Meyer described the aggressive plan and their desire to execute it.
"We wanted to be on the front foot today. Obviously when there are a lot of crosswinds you would rather be dealing the pain to the other teams rather than them dealing the pain to you," Meyer said.
Lots of climbing to come
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
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