Luke Rowe wins stage two of Herald Sun Tour
Welshman Luke Rowe takes his first win since 2012, making a solo move from the day's escape group in the Herald Sun Tour
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PyuPVJBwauVh7Vz3qtcqj4-415-80.jpg)
Luke Rowe wins stage two of the 2017 Jayco Herald Sun Tour.
Luke Rowe (Team Sky) won stage two of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour in Australia on Friday after attacking from the day's break, taking his first victory since 2012.
The Welshman had bided his time in the day's 10-man escape group, and chose to make his move on the day's final climb.
Rowe's former breakaway companion Irishman Conor Dunne (Aqua Blue Sport) came in for second at 33 seconds, with American Tanner Putt (UnitedHealthcare) in third at 56 seconds. Briton Steve Lampier continued JLT Condor's impressive run in the race with fifth place.
"We said at the end of last year that it was about time I won something," Rowe said after the finish. His last win was on stage one of the 2012 Tour of Britain.
"It’s kind of surreal putting your hands in the air again and going through the winning motions when you spend most of your time working for others. When you get half an opportunity you’ve got to take it and that’s exactly what I did today."
>>> Damien Howson takes win as Froome and Chaves battle in Herald Sun Tour
Behind the break, there was something resembling chaos as race leader Damien Howson (Orica-Scott) suffered a badly-timed puncture within the final 10km and temporarily lost contact with the main group containing defending champion Chris Froome (Team Sky).
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Froome had started to put some time into Howson on the final climb, but hard work from Howson's Orica-Scott team-mates – including Esteban Chaves and Simon Gerrans – saw the yellow jersey brought back up to Froome. Howson and Froome subsequently finished in the same group.
Howson retains the overall lead ahead of Jai Hindley (Korda Mentha Real Estate-Australia), at 38 seconds, and Kenny Elissonde (Team Sky) in third at 53 seconds. Froome remains fifth at 1-12.
The Jayco Herald Sun Tour continues on Saturday from Benalla to Michlton Winery. The stage features a major climb in its mid-section, but flattens out long before the finish and a bunch sprint is expected.
That leaves just Sunday's final stage for any riders with serious intentions on the general classification – including Froome – to make their move.
Result
Jayco Herald Sun Tour 2017, stage two: Mount Beauty to Beechworth, 165.6km
1. Luke Rowe (GBr) Team Sky, in 4-08-23
2. Conor Dunne (Irl) Aqua Blue Sport, at 33 secs
3. Tanner Putt (USA) UnitedHealthcare, at 56 secs
4. Robbie Hucker (Aus) IsoWhey Sports-Swiss Wellness, at 57 secs
5. Steve Lampier (GBr) JLT Condor, at same time
6. Cameron Meyer (Aus) Korda Menthe Real Estate-Australia, at 1-12
7. Martijn Tusveld (Ned) Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij, at 1-17
8. Janier Acevedo (Col) UnitedHealthcare
9. Ian Bibby (GBr) JLT Condor
10. Lucas Hamilton (Aus) Korda Menthe Real Estate-Australia, at same time
Other
17. Edmund Bradbury (GBr) JLT Condor, at 1-17
General classification after stage two
1. Damien Howson (Aus) Orica-Scott, in 8-46-12
2. Jai Hindley (Aus) Korda Menthe Real Estate-Australia, at 38 secs
3. Kenny Elissonde (Fra) Team Sky, at 53 secs
4. Cameron Meyer (Aus) Korda Menthe Real Estate-Australia, at 1-08
5. Michael Storer (Aus) Korda Menthe Real Estate-Australia, at 1-10
6. Chris Froome (GBr) Team Sky, at 1-12
7. Lucas Hamilton (Aus) Korda Menthe Real Estate-Australia, at 1-13
8. Nathan Earle (Aus) Korda Menthe Real Estate-Australia, at 1-15
9. Esteban Chaves (Col) Orica-Scott, at 1-15
10. Timothy Roe (Aus) IsoWhey Sports-Swiss Wellness, at 1-17
Other
11. Ian Bibby (GBr) JLT Condor, at 1-26
13. Edmund Bradbury (GBr) JLT Condor, at 1-35
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.
-
Tadej Pogačar broke 288 Strava KOMs during Tour de France victory
Slovenian won his third Tour title in Nice last weekend, and picked up a host of new trophies on Strava
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I'm definitely pushing over 2,500 watts' - Meet the most powerful cyclists in the GB Olympics squad
Move over track sprinters, there are stronger legs in town
By Tom Davidson Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock says Ineos Grenadiers will be 'better' at the Tour de France without Steve Cummings
Netflix series depicted tension between the DS and rider, dynamic sources told Cycling Weekly carries a degree of accuracy
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'dreaming' of taking yellow jersey on opening weekend of Tour de France
British rider hopes to play starring role in Italian Grand Départ
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I think I'll get the opportunity to go for a stage' - Geraint Thomas relishing support role at Tour de France
Former yellow jersey winner says this year's race "could be my last"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Carlos Rodríguez to lead Ineos Grenadiers at Tour de France, supported by Geraint Thomas and Tom Pidcock
British squad will aim to "race aggressively and disrupt" at the French Grand Tour
By Adam Becket Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Tom Pidcock
According to the man himself, he's never had a hangover. It's alright for some.
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock adds extra mountain bike race to schedule, one week before Tour de France
Pidcock confirms he will race World Cup event in Crans Montana, Switzerland ahead of Olympic title defence
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
5 things we learned from the first week of the 2024 Giro d’Italia
The Italian Grand Tour is firmly underway and Tadej Pogačar is in the pink jersey. Here are our takeaways from the first week of action
By Tom Thewlis Published