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PREVIEW | Tour Down Under 2023 Stage 4 - Sprinters face off in tricky Willunga finish
CyclingSaturday, 21 January 2023 at 01:02
Stage 4 of the Tour Down Under will finish in Willunga, however without the ascent of the famous climb. This will be a day for the sprinters although the bonifications will be up for grabs, and the GC fight may continue.
It's a small day on the saddle through the McLaren Vale and one where it won't be easy for anyone to stay away, due to it's very simple and calm roads. Climbs will also be absent, however the finale into the famous town won't be too easy.
Stage 4: Port Willunga - Willunga Township, 133.2 kilometers
Stage 4 Finale: 2.5Km; 2.8%
The sprinters are expected to come to the front, however this is a very interesting finale. The toughest grades of the day come at the finishing straight, as the organizers placed the finish line at the base of the climb to Old Willunga Hill.
There are no corners to take into consideration, however it is a 2.5 kilometer slight rise up, and the final around 500 meters see the gradients go up to 5%. Will it prevent a sprint? No, I wouldn't count on that. However the GC riders will get involved in the fight for bonifications, and within the sprinters so will be able to handle this terrain better than others that is certain.
Tour Down Under stage 4 finale
The Weather
Tour Down Under stage 4 map
Strong wind from the southeast. The pattern continues and it won't be a calm day. Echelons are quite possible as the riders face long straight sections out in the open, and it can be a very difficult day for the skinny climbers who must preserve their positions in the GC. In the finale, the sprint is quite likely gonna see aswell a headwind, as are the final kilometers.
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The Favourites
It's a day for the sprinters, but with a tricky finale. What will happen exactly depends on which riders can survive eventual crosswinds. Some riders would definitely be more prone to struggle including Caleb Ewan who won't have much support. However if they will happen is hard to predict, as is the case with those who may be present in the leading groups.
In any way, a sprint is predicted. And there are plenty contenders. Caleb Ewan is showing great form and this seems like an ideal finale for him, with headwind and some gradients. I would say it is a similar situation for Kaden Groves. Leadout won't be as crucial in this finale I can assure, which cost Ewan the win in the last finale. Michael Matthews and Ethan Hayter are two more riders who have a liking to the gradients, however you have to ask yourself if the finale lacks the toughness to favour them.
If it does, more riders will sit right behind. A whole array of them actually. Bryan Coquard is a specialist in hilltop finishes, Alessandro Covi is in tremendous form and has shown the sprinting speed in the opening stage, and Corbin Strong has equally shown to have the speed and climbing legs over the last few days. All of these riders should have very realistic possibilities of fighting for the victory. Hugo Hofstetter hasn't looked as sharp, but both he and Marco Haller are reasonable outsiders within that field.
Talking of some more pure sprinters, it won't be as easy of a finale for them, however they are worth a mention. Emils Liepins, Paul Penhoët and Gerben Thijssen will be outsiders. However the gradients and bonifications available will see the GC riders in the front with no doubt. And there is a real chance they can get in the fight aswell.
The likes of Jay Vine and Pello Bilbao have definitely shown the sharpness and in such a sprint I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the first places. Mauro Schmid and Robert Stannard fit in the puncheurs that will also have a chance to take a big win.
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Prediction Time
*** Ewan, Matthews, Groves
** Strong, Coquard, Hayter, Covi
* Hofstetter, Liepins, Thijssen, Haller, Bilbao, Stannard
Pick: Caleb Ewan
Poll
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