The combat of the overall classification contenders of the Excursion Down Underneath began in earnest on level 3 from Norwood to Uraidla with a checking out climb with 5.6km to move isolating the highest males. Protecting champion Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech), alternatively, was once no longer amongst them.
The 28-year-old crashed within the feed zone with round 60 kilometres final, which did not lend a hand his case. He sustained only a few contusions however no primary accidents and was once ready to temporarily stand up and rejoin the peloton.
Then again, his crash got here 10km earlier than a quick, technical descent that led into the important thing climb of Knotts Hill – a 2.6km climb averaging 8% and kicking as much as a most of 13.4% – a key level for positioning and had him at the again foot.
“It was a bit of a shit fight all day,” Williams mentioned, consistent with his staff. “I came down in a crash just before the climb. It was just a touch of wheels and I came down.
“Then I attempted to recompose and are available again and I used to be alright. However I simply did not have the minerals at the climb and I fell in the back of. It isn’t superb however so is existence and we now have 3 extra days to check out and be excellent.”
Williams sits in 23rd place in the general classification after stage 3, losing 20 seconds to the main group and 35 seconds to new race leader Javier Romo (Movistar) after being paced to the line by Corbin Strong and Michael Woods.
Last year, Williams made the difference not only by keeping his rivals close on the summit finishes in the finals of two stages but by snatching time bonuses, too. This year, there is likely only Willunga Hill on stage 5 left as a major opportunity to move up the standings, but Williams isn’t giving up yet.
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“With a bit of luck we will be able to soar again from this and take a look at and be excellent for the remainder of the race,” he concluded.
