This was published 10 years ago
Stage winner Gerrans takes stranglehold on Tour
Former champion Simon Gerrans has taken a stranglehold on the Tour Down
Under after sprinting to victory in stage four - the race from Norwood to Victor Harbor.
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The ochre leader's jersey wearer grabbed the Tour by the
"scruff of its neck" after being expertly led home by main gunner Daryl
Impey.
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The Orica-GreenEDGE team leader was chased home by British rider Ben Swift (Team Sky) and Italian Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo).
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But proved too strong with a clinical and tactical sprint to the finish line.
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The
peloton kept a steady pace throughout the race as it chased a small group who
broke away from the pack.
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The breakaway was able to keep the main pack at bay for the majority of the stage.
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But the peloton was able to claw the small band of riders back into the fold before the major turning point of the stage ...
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... a steep hill that
allowed the climbers to stretch their legs and punish the sprinters.
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The race down the other side caused the latest episode of carnage, a small pile-up of bikes and bodies that had crashed racing for position.
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However the crash and the attacks failed to deter Gerrans who was well
protected by his team.
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