"Stage five is crucial for us” - Team Visma | Lease a Bike hoping Milan Vader can make GC move on Willunga Hill at Tour Down Under

Team Visma | Lease a Bike have a relatively quiet start to their 2024 road season at the Tour Down Under in Australia. That is all set to change on stage 5 however, as the GC battle is expected to erupt on Willunga Hill.

"Stage five is crucial for us. The finish will be on Willunga Hill. You could call it the queen stage because the double climb up Willunga Hill will be the toughest test of the race," previews Team Visma | Lease a Bike sports director, Addy Engels to the team's official website. "The general classification will be decided here. It will be up to us to ride carefully and stay as close to the front as possible."

The team's best hope is likely to be Milan Vader, a rider the team have done their best to keep safe in the stages so far. "To start stage five in the best possible conditions, we had to get through today without any problems," Engels says. "We managed to do that. All our riders finished at the same time as the winner of the day. We are now ready to fulfil our ambitions."

"Tomorrow's finish should suit him. We will do everything possible to put him in the best possible position for the final. Then, we will have to see the result, considering the general classification," the sports director concludes in reference to Vader. "The confidence is high, the legs are good, and so is our motivation. We are ready for the final of this Tour Down Under."