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Santos Tour Down Under recap: Simon Gerrans seals fourth title

By Matt Westby

Sunday 24 January 2016 10:29, UK

The peleton rides past a roadsign warning of kangaroos during Stage 5 of the 2015 Santos Tour Down Under on January 24
Image: The Santos Tour Down Under is one of most closely fought races of the year

The 2016 UCI WorldTour got under way with the Santos Tour Down Under from Tuesday, January 19, to Sunday, January 24.

The race was won for the fourth time by Orica-GreenEdge's Simon Gerrans.

Here is how the action panned out...

THE STAGES

Stage 1: Tuesday, January 19 - Prospect to Lyndoch - 130.8km

Stage winner: Caleb Ewan (Orica-GreenEdge). Race leader: Caleb Ewan (Orica-GreenEdge).

Report

Caleb Ewan, Santos Tour Down Under 2016, stage one
Image: Caleb Ewan won the opening stage

Stage 2: Wednesday, January 20 - Unley to Stirling - 132km  

Also See:

Stage winner: Jay McCarthy (Tinkoff). Race leader: Jay McCarthy (Tinkoff).

Report

Jay McCarthy, Diego Ulissi, Santos Tour Down Under 2016, stage two
Image: Jay McCarthy (right) beat Diego Ulissi (left) in a photo finish on stage two

Stage 3: Thursday, January 21 - Glenelg to Campbelltown - 139km

Stage winner: Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge). Race leader: Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge).

Report

Simon Gerrans (R) from Orica GreenEdge wins ahead BMC's Rohan Dennis during stage 3 of the Santos Tour Down Under
Image: Simon Gerrans (right) sprinted to victory on stage three

Stage 4: Friday, January 22 - Norwood to Victor Harbor - 138km

Stage winner: Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge). Race leader: Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge).

Report

Australia's Simon Gerrans (L) from the Orica Greenedge celebrates as he wins stage four ahead of Britain's Ben Swift from Sky during the Tour Down Under
Image: Gerrans won for the second stage in succession on stage four

Stage 5: Saturday, January 23 - McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill - 151.5km

Stage winner: Richie Porte (BMC Racing). Race leader: Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge).

Report

Richie Porte, Santos Tour Down Under, stage five, Willunga Hill
Image: Richie Porte won on Willunga Hill

Stage 6: Sunday, January 24 - Adelaide to Adelaide - 90km

Stage winner: Caleb Ewan (Orica-GreenEdge). Race leader: Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge).

Report

Caleb Ewan from the Orica-GreenEdge team celebrates as he wins stage six of the Tour Down Under
Image: Ewan sprinted to his second win of the race on stage six

KEY STAGE

Richie Porte attacks on stage five of the 2015 Tour Down Under
Image: Richie Porte attacks on stage five of the 2015 Santos Tour Down Under

Stage five. The summit finish on Willunga Hill should create the biggest gaps in the general classification and could prove decisive.

BRIT WATCH

Adam Blythe (Tinkoff), Pete Kennaugh (Team Sky), Luke Rowe (Team Sky), Ian Stannard (Team Sky), Ben Swift (Team Sky), Geraint Thomas (Team Sky).

THE JERSEYS

- Ochre: General classification.

- Red: Sprints classification.

- White and blue polka dots: King of the mountains.

- Green: Best young rider.

TIME BONUSES

- 10, 6 and 4 bonus seconds will be awarded to the first three finishers on each stage.

- 3, 2 and 1 second will be awarded to the first three riders over the line at intermediate sprints.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

Image: Rohan Dennis won last year's edition and is back to defend his title

2015: Rohan Dennis (Aus).

2014: Simon Gerrans (Aus).

2013: Tom-Jelte Slagter (Ned).

2012: Simon Gerrans (Aus).

2011: Cameron Meyer (Aus).

2010: Andre Greipel (Ger).

2009: Allan Davis (Aus)

2008: Andre Greipel (Ger).

2007: Martin Elmiger (Swi).

2006: Simon Gerrans (Aus). 

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