Watch: Tour Down Under 2020 stage six highlights
The decisive GC day in the Australian stage race
The final stage six of the 2020 Tour Down Under was set up perfectly for a scintillating GC battle to crown the winner.
Defending champion Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott) had overturned Richie Porte's initial race lead by gaining bonus seconds at intermediate sprints and now led the Trek-Segafredo rider by two seconds.
The 151.5km stage six route starting from McLaren Vale was backloaded with the day's entertainment. Following a circuit featuring two intermediate sprints at Snapper Point, the peloton would climb Willunga Hill twice, the second time being the summit finish of the stage.
The first category climb is 3.7km in length with an average gradient of 6.8 per cent. Whoever's legs proved strongest up the second ascent would surely win the ochre jersey.
>>> Six issues of Cycling Weekly for £6 in the January sale! <<< (opens in new tab)
As well as Impey and Porte, Simon Yates was only 13 seconds down on GC and would provide a second option for Mitchelton-Scott should Impey falter.
Meanwhile, George Bennett (Jumbo-Visma) and Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) were only a little more than 15 seconds behind. Ineos' Rohan Dennis would also be looking to leave everything out on the road in his first race for his new team, and only sat 17 seconds down at the start of the stage.
You can read our full race report here.
Richie Porte has won the Willinga Hill stage for six years running, but last year it was Impey who finished the stage in third on the same time as Porte and secured the overall victory by 13 seconds.
Thank you for reading 5 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
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
Inside the first Global Bike Festival: Road, gravel and mountain biking come together in the Austrian Alps
Cycling Weekly was there to find out why hundreds of people travelled to Austria with their bikes for a weekend
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Should cyclists be worried about skin damage? All you need to know about protecting yourself from harmful rays
As high summer approaches, promising long hours of sun-drenched cycling, here’s what you need to know about the dangers posed by the sun and how to reduce the risk
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Porte and Dennis to ride Santos Festival of Cycling 2022
Confirmed teams and riders taking part in the 2022 Santos Festival of Cycling (January 23-29)
By Cycling Weekly • Published
-
The Tour Down Under will not be taking place in 2022
The race will be replaced once again by the 'Santos Festival of Cycling' as border closures and quarantine rules continue
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Richie Porte wins up Willunga Hill as Sarah Gigante smashes QOM at Santos Festival of Cycling
It may not be a regular Tour Down Under, but some things remain the same
By Jonny Long • Published
-
How to watch the Santos Festival of Cycling 2021: Live stream all the action from the Australian stage race
The Santos Festival of Cycling 2021 is a unique opportunity for Australian pros to compete in a domestic stage race - here’s how you can live stream this year’s event.
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
Tour Down Under 2021 cancelled due to coronavirus concerns
The first WorldTour event of next year has been called off as the global pandemic rumbles on
By Jonny Long • Published
-
Tour Down Under 2021 teeters on edge of cancellation due to Covid-19
Race organisers expect to make a decision about the viability of the January event next week
By Jonny Long • Published
-
Five things we learned from the Tour Down Under 2020
The first WorldTour race of the season is done and dusted
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Richie Porte obliterated the Willunga Hill KoM - here's how his ride compares to previous years
The Tasmanian knocked 30 seconds off his previous best time on the climb
By Jonny Long • Published