Tour Down Under 2023: Rohan Dennis wins in Victor Harbor to take race lead

image: Cor VosSimon Yates, Jay Vine, Rohan Dennis, Mauro Schmid and Jai Hindley attack on Nestle Hill. The five hold off the charging peloton before Dennis jumps clear inside the finale kilometre to steal the win. He also moves into the overall race lead, 3 seconds ahead of Vine. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2nd stage 2023 Tour Down Under

1. Rohan Dennis (aus)
2. Jay Vine (aus) + 0.02
3. Mauro Schmid (swi) s.t.
4. Simon Yates (gbr) s.t.
5. Jai Hindley (aus) s.t.
6. Caleb Ewan (aus) + 0.11
7. Emils Liepins (lit) s.t.
8. Corbin Strong (nzl) s.t.
8. Kaden Groves (aus) s.t.
10. Paul Penhoët Fra) s.t.

GC after stage 2
1. Rohan Dennis (aus)
2. Jay Vine (aus) + 0.03
3. Magnus Sheffield (usa) + 0.12
4. Mauro Schmid (swi) + 0.13
5. Corbin Strong (nzl) + 0.14
6. Hugo Page (fra) s.t.
7. Kaden Groves (aus) + 0.15
8. Magnus Mayrhofer (ger) + 0.17
9. Nikias Arndt (ger) + 0.19
10. Miles Scotson (aus) + 0.20

Race report
The peloton is still together when they reach the first intermediate sprint. Marc Brustenga gains 3 seconds, Hugo Page 2, and Michael Matthews 1. Moments later Manuele Boaro and Johan Jacobs jump clear and the two open a 4 minutes gap. They are caught when the peloton speeds up due to crosswinds and they are caught.

Two groups have been formed in the echelon driven phase. Corbin Strong, Michael Matthews and leader Alberto Bettiol are in the first and they reach the intermediate sprint in that order.

Dmitriy Gruzdev jumps off the front with 75 kilometres to go, but he is caught well before the the final climb of the day up Nettle Hill. In the run-up Michael Matthews needs to change bikes after a mechanical, while Alessandro Covi is the first rider to give it a shot on the climb. Simon Yates responds and Jay Vine, Rohan Dennis, Mauro Schmid and Jai Hindley join him.

The five open a gap of 45 seconds. Matthews is struggling behind the chasing peloton, while Alberto Bettiol comes to a complete standstill due to cramps. Meanwhile, the attackers manage to stay clear.

Hindley makes a move in the last kilometres, but Dennis tracks him down. The former winner powers on to take both the stage win and the leader’s jersey

Another interesting read: route 2nd stage 2023 Tour Down Under.