Team Sky's Luke Rowe wins Herald Sun Tour second stage
Friday 3 February 2017 07:35, UK
Team Sky's Luke Rowe enjoyed a dominant victory in the second stage of the Herald Sun Tour in Australia.
The 26-year-old Welshman won the 165.6-km stage, between Mount Beauty and Beechworth, by 33 seconds from Conor Dunne (Aqua Blue Sport).
Three-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome (Team Sky) came home in the pack, 77 seconds adrift.
Although Froome remains 72 seconds behind overall leader Damien Howson (Orica-Scott), he dropped one place in the general classification from fifth to sixth.
Howson leads his fellow Australian Jai Hindly (Australian National Team) by 38 seconds in the race which finishes on Sunday.
Saturday's stage, which runs between Benalla and Nagambie, is 167.7km in length with the event concluding in Kinglake.
Stage Two result
1 Luke Rowe (Gbr/Sky) 4 hrs, 8 mins, 23 sec
2 Conor Dunne (Ire/Aqua Blue Sport) + 33s
3 Tanner Putt (USA/UnitedHealthcare) + 56s
General Classification
1 Damien Howson (Aus/Orica-Scott) 8 hrs, 46 mins, 12 secs
2 Jai Hindley (Aus/Australian National Team) + 38s
3 Kenny Elissonde (Fra/Sky) + 53s
