Danny van Poppel takes Team Sky's first win of 2017 with Herald Sun Tour prologue victory
Dutchman Danny van Poppel claims time trial win in Australia as British squad JLT Condor places three riders in top 10
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/52SSXgGDXz7Kg8DYYwvLL-415-80.jpg)
Danny van Poppel.
Danny van Poppel (Team Sky) won the Jayco Herald Sun Tour prologue time trial on Wednesday, with British team JLT Condor providing second and third placed riders.
The short 2.1-kilometre opening test against the clock in Melbourne suited Dutch sprinter van Poppel's turn of speed, and he came home with a time of two minutes 32.6 seconds to take the early overall race lead. It is both van Poppel's and Team Sky's first victory of the season.
Continental team JLT-Condor started strongly against the WorldTour big hitters, with Australian Brenton Jones and New Zealander Alex Frame both finishing one second adrift of van Poppel to place second and third. British rider Ian Bibby gave JLT its third top 10 spot in eighth.
Defending champion Chris Froome (Team Sky) put in a solid ride in the event, which stipulated that riders must use regular road bikes rather than TT-specific machines. Froome finished in 26th place, seven seconds down on team-mate van Poppel.
Welshman Luke Rowe (Team Sky) placed just outside the top 10 in 11th place.
“I was focused to win it and nothing else,” said van Poppel after the stage. “I’ve done it and I’m really happy because you’re always searching for the first victory of the team and for myself and I’m happy that I did it.
"It’s good but I hope I can give it to Chris tomorrow. It will be nice if tomorrow is a nice day for Chris and the team so we’ll go full for him."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
>>> Chris Froome ready for face-off with Esteban Chaves at Herald Sun Tour
The 2017 Jayco Herald Sun Tour continues on Thursday with the first road stage, a 174.2-kilometre trip from Wangaratta to Falls Creek.
It will be the first chance for those with general classification aspirations – including Froome and rival Esteban Chaves (Orica-Scott) – to show their hand, as the stage features a long climb to the line.
Result
Jayco Herald Sun Tour 2017, prologue: Melbourne to Melbourne, 2.1km
1. Danny van Poppel (Ned) Team Sky, in 2-32
2. Breton Jones (Aus) JLT Condor, at 1 sec
3. Alex Frame (NZl) JLT Condor, at 1 sec
4. Michael Hepburn (Aus) Orica-Scott, at 2 secs
5. Leigh Howard (Aus) Aqua Blue Sport, at 3 secs
6. Anthony Giacoppo (Aus) IsoWhey Sports SwissWellness, at 3 secs
7. Jesse Kerrison (Aus) IsoWhey Sports SwissWellness, at 3 secs
8. Ian Bibby (GBr) JLT Condor, at 4 secs
9. Travis McCabe (USA) UnitedHealthcare, at 4 secs
10. Cameron Bayly (Aus) IsoWhey Sports SwissWellness, at 4 secs
Other
11. Luke Rowe (GBr) Team Sky, at 4 secs
26. Chris Froome (GBr) Team Sky, at 7 secs
General classification after prologue
1. Danny van Poppel (Ned) Team Sky, in 2-32
2. Breton Jones (Aus) JLT Condor, at 1 sec
3. Alex Frame (NZl) JLT Condor, at 1 sec
4. Michael Hepburn (Aus) Orica-Scott, at 2 secs
5. Leigh Howard (Aus) Aqua Blue Sport, at 3 secs
6. Anthony Giacoppo (Aus) IsoWhey Sports SwissWellness, at 3 secs
7. Jesse Kerrison (Aus) IsoWhey Sports SwissWellness, at 3 secs
8. Ian Bibby (GBr) JLT Condor, at 4 secs
9. Travis McCabe (USA) UnitedHealthcare, at 4 secs
10. Cameron Bayly (Aus) IsoWhey Sports SwissWellness, at 4 secs
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