Elisa Longo Borghini and Ruth Winder best finishers for Trek-Segafredo as heat and final climb take a toll
The Santos Tour Down Under continued Friday with the queen stage that saw heat and a steep climb to the finish wreak havoc on the peloton. In the end, it was Australian and two-time winner of the Tour Down Under Amanda Spratt (Mitchelton-Scott) climbing to the win and the overall lead atop Mengler Hill. Trek-Segafredo’s Ruth Winder and Elisa Longo Borghini finished together for 11th and 13th places, while sprinter Letizia Paternoster arrived with teammate Tayler Wiles a few minutes later, ceding the leader’s jersey as expected.
It was really hot. I normally suffer a little bit with the heat, especially the first time, and here it was really, really hot. The team did really well for me, they were really backing me, and I am proud of them. I am really sorry that I could not finish it off, but that’s January.
I came here, and I said already that I would not be in shape, but it still hurts when you see all your team digging hard for you and you cannot deliver a good result. Today they worked for me, and tomorrow I will work for them to pay them back.
- Elisa Longo Borghini
Gallery by JoJo Harper
We tried really hard to get in a breakaway, we spent 10mins countering off each other, it was really good teamwork, and it’s exciting to see that again after yesterday when we rode so well together as a brand-new team. But every other team did not really seem to want to see a breakaway today which was a little bit frustrating.
We took a breather and then we tried later to put it in the gutter which was really hard. We brought the gap down to the two riders off the front but then it was really apparent that no one wanted a breakaway. So we were just waiting for the climb. At the base when the first attack went, I did my best to follow but honestly, my legs were so done and I crossed the finish line with Elisa. With both had issues with the heat and this being January. It’s disappointing but we know that our legs will come around soon, I hope.
- Ruth Winder
Gallery by Velofocus
Ruth Winder (USA) tries to coordinate the chase group at Santos Women's Tour Down Under 2019 - Stage 2, a 116.7 km road race from Nuriootpa to Angaston, Australia on January 11, 2019. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) in the bunch at Santos Women's Tour Down Under 2019 - Stage 2, a 116.7 km road race from Nuriootpa to Angaston, Australia on January 11, 2019. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
The peloton approach at Santos Women's Tour Down Under 2019 - Stage 2, a 116.7 km road race from Nuriootpa to Angaston, Australia on January 11, 2019. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
Letizia Paternoster (ITA) leads the bunch at Santos Women's Tour Down Under 2019 - Stage 2, a 116.7 km road race from Nuriootpa to Angaston, Australia on January 11, 2019. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
Ruth Winder (USA) and Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) in the final kilometre at Santos Women's Tour Down Under 2019 - Stage 2, a 116.7 km road race from Nuriootpa to Angaston, Australia on January 11, 2019. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
Ruth Winder (USA) and Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) in the final kilometre at Santos Women's Tour Down Under 2019 - Stage 2, a 116.7 km road race from Nuriootpa to Angaston, Australia on January 11, 2019. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
Letizia Paternoster (ITA) takes the final climb in her stride at Santos Women's Tour Down Under 2019 - Stage 2, a 116.7 km road race from Nuriootpa to Angaston, Australia on January 11, 2019. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
Lauretta Hanson (AUS) keeps on climbing at Santos Women's Tour Down Under 2019 - Stage 2, a 116.7 km road race from Nuriootpa to Angaston, Australia on January 11, 2019. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
Tayler Wiles (USA) battles up the final climb at Santos Women's Tour Down Under 2019 - Stage 2, a 116.7 km road race from Nuriootpa to Angaston, Australia on January 11, 2019. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
Letizia Paternoster (ITA) takes the final climb in her stride at Santos Women's Tour Down Under 2019 - Stage 2, a 116.7 km road race from Nuriootpa to Angaston, Australia on January 11, 2019. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) and Letizia Paternoster (ITA) pose for photos at sign on at Santos Women's Tour Down Under 2019 - Stage 2, a 116.7 km road race from Nuriootpa to Angaston, Australia on January 11, 2019. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
