Tour Down Under 2017: Ewan powers to third victory in Campbelltown, Porte retains lead

At the end of a hilly stage Caleb Ewan sprints to victory in the 4th stage. It's his third victory in four races. Peter Sagan and Danny van Poppel finish in second and third, while Richie Porte holds on to his ochre jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 4th stage 2017 Tour Down Under

1.Caleb Ewan (aus)
2. Peter Sagan (svk)
3. Danny van Poppel (nld) s.t.
4. Ben Swift (gbr) s.t.
5. Nathan Haas (aus)
6. Baptiste Plankaert (bel) s.t.
7. Jay McCarthy (aus) s.t.
8. Callum Scotson (aus) s.t.
9. Jasha Sütterlin (ger)
10. Enrico Battaglin (ita)

GC after stage 4
1. Richie Porte (aus)
2. Gorka Izagirre (spa) + 0.20
3. Esteban Chaves (col) + 0.22
4. Jay McCarthy (aus) + 0.24
5. Nathan Haas (aus) + 0.27
6. Rohan Dennis (aus) s.t.
7. Luis León Sánchez (spa) s.t.
8. Diego Ulissi (ita) s.t.
9. Rafael Valls (spa) s.t.
10. Ruben Guerreiro (por) s.t.

Race report
Tsgabu Grmay, Maurits Lammertink and Dries Devenyns are the first to break clear. But to no avail. Next up are Tyler Farrar, Will Clarke, Peter Stetina and Michael Kolar. Still no glory for the break away boys.

Yet when Ondřej Cink, Jack Bauer and Cameron Meyer escape they race to a maximum advantage of 3 minutes. A counter attack by Lars Bak, Will Clarke and Michael Valgren doesn’t bear fruit, while Bauer proves to the toughest rider at the front. After Cink and Meyer had been reeled the New Zealander pushes on until he is caught with 3 kms remaining.

In the finale Sky set up Van Poppel and the Dutchman powers towards the finish with Ewan on his wheel, who edges him in the last metres. Sagan comes around also, yet all eyes are on the Australian pocket-rocket sprinter, who once again delivers.

The next stage leads to Willunga Hill. Leader Porte must be full of confidence. In last three editions he took the Willuna Hill stage.