William Clarke wins Herald Sun Tour prologue, Peter Kennaugh eighth
William Clarke blitzes short opening prologue of the Herald Sun Tour in Australia as British road race champion Peter Kennaugh places eighth and Chris Froome 27th - Photos by Graham Watson
William Clarke (Drapac Pro Cycling) won the opening prologue of the 2016 Jayco Herald Sun Tour on Wednesday, repeating his victory from last year and taking the early race lead.
Clarke completed the short 2.1-kilometre course in Melbourne in two minutes and 34 seconds. On-form sprinter Caleb Ewan (Orica-GreenEdge) came in for second place, with Neil Van Der Ploeg (Avanti IsoWhey Sport) in third to make an all-Australian top three.
Fresh from his victory in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race on Sunday, British national road race champion Peter Kennaugh (Team Sky) was the highest-placed British rider in eighth place.
The short course suited sprinters and pursuiters more than time trial specialists, but Tour de France champion Chris Froome (Team Sky) managed to minimise his losses by placing 27th, eight seconds adrift of Clarke.
Ewan goes into Thursday's road stage as favourite for the victory, and to take over the general classification.
>>> Chris Froome seeking Herald Sun Tour win for Team Sky
Result
Jayco Herald Sun Tour 2016, prologue: Melbourne to Melbourne, 2.1km
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
1. William Clarke (Aus) Drapac Professional Cycling in 2-34.27
2. Caleb Ewan (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge at 1 sec
3. Neil Van Der Ploeg (Aus) Avanti IsoWhey Sport at 2 secs
4. Robbie Hucker (Aus) Avanti IsoWhey Sport at 3 secs
5. Joseph Cooper (NZl) Avanti IsoWhey Sport at 4 secs
6. Sam Bewley (NZl) Orica-GreenEdge at 5 secs
7. Niccolo Bonifazio (Ita) Trek-Segafredo
8=. Damien Howson (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
8=. Peter Kennaugh (GBr) Team Sky
10. Anthony Giacoppo (Aus) Avanti IsoWhey Sport at same time
General classification after prologue
1. William Clarke (Aus) Drapac Professional Cycling in 2-34.27
2. Caleb Ewan (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge at 1 sec
3. Neil Van Der Ploeg (Aus) Avanti IsoWhey Sport at 2 secs
4. Robbie Hucker (Aus) Avanti IsoWhey Sport at 3 secs
5. Joseph Cooper (NZl) Avanti IsoWhey Sport at 4 secs
6. Sam Bewley (NZl) Orica-GreenEdge at 5 secs
7. Niccolo Bonifazio (Ita) Trek-Segafredo
8=. Damien Howson (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
8=. Peter Kennaugh (GBr) Team Sky
10. Anthony Giacoppo (Aus) Avanti IsoWhey Sport at same time
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
London e-bike sharing scheme investigated over 'free' claims
Forest offer "10 minutes free daily", but a charge is always incurred
By Adam Becket Published
-
Knog Blinder 1300 review - excellent visibility for you and other road users
Solid performance, great mounting options and a respectable price point make the Blinder a great competitor for long nights this winter
By Joe Baker Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers hire new head of engineering as reshuffle continues
Former British Cycling lead, Dr Billy Fitton, is the latest of a handful of new appointments within the British squad
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Overachiever: Cameron Wurf competed in the Amstel Gold, La Flèche Wallonne and an Ironman, all in just eight days
Cameron Wurf is both a member of Team Ineos Grenadiers and an accomplished professional long course triathlete who has racked up numerous World Tour and Ironman race finishes across his career.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
‘I feel lucky to be alive’: Magnus Sheffield speaks for the first time about Gino Mäder’s fatal crash
The American describes what he saw at the Tour de Suisse, eight months after the tragedy
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock: Tour of Britain route 'not really ideal for me'
Brit says he wants to win home stage race, even if the course plays in Wout van Aert's favour
By Tom Davidson Published
-
This 39-year-old INEOS Grenadiers rider moonlights as a pro triathlete
A Jack of all trades, Cameron Wurf is a domestique for INEOS Grenadiers professional cycling team, but doubles as a successful pro triathlete.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers' only female rider Pauline Ferrand-Prévot eyes road return
Mountain bike legend could be back in the peloton next year
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Egan Bernal has nose operation to help 'air passage' ahead of 2023
Procedure not thought to be connected to the life-threatening crash which affected Colombian last year
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tweets of the week: Ineos Grenadiers' three wise men, team jersey déjà vu and World Cup celebrations by bike
Here's our social media round-up, featuring a cycling all-star nativity
By Tom Davidson Published