Four seconds separate Aussies
Australian Michael Hepburn (who usually rides for Team Jayco – AIS) took the 6.6-kilometer prologue of the Tour de l’Avenir, ahead of his compatriot Rohan Dennis. Hepburn clocked 7’13, with Dennis four seconds behind. Dutchman Tom Dumoulin was third, 18 seconds adrift.
Hepburn was pleased with his ride, but did not forget to congratulate his mates. “Big congrats to Dirty Dennis on 2nd and the rest of the Aussie boys with great rides!” he tweeted. His victory came on Australian Father’s day. “Hope this is a good enough present Dad!” he said on twitter.
Luka Smola (Czech Republic) was the first rider off the start ramp in Yutz, clocking a 8’41. It would eventually land him a 103rd place. The times were bettered quickly and Dumoulin closed in on the 7’30 mark. But only the Australians went under 7’30, yielding the teams classification for the Down Under squad in the process. The Aussies stormed along at almost 55km/h, drawing on their experience of their Worlds title in the pursuit championships for two years running (2010 and 2011).
Last year’s winner, Colombian Alexander Quintana-Rojas, took 39th, with a gap of 41 seconds.
1. [AUS] HEPBURN Michael
2. [AUS] DENNIS Rohan
3. [NED] DUMOULIN Tom
4. [CZE] NOVAK Jakub –
5. [CAN] HOULE Hugo
6. [DEN] VALGREN ANDERSEN Michael
7. [FRA] LE BOULCH Dimitri
8. [BEL] ALLEGAERT Matthias
9. [CAN] BOILY David
10. [GBR] ROWE Luke