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! <<<
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.
-
-
'I thought I was having a heart attack on the start line': Mechanical engineer, mother of two, making Pakistani history
Alongside Asma Jan, Kanza Malik made history as the first Pakistani women to race internationally
By Jonny Long •
-
Specialized introduces Mirror 3D printed tech to Romin Evo saddle
The long nosed race saddle now comes complete with Mirror level squish
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan •
-
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 •
-
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 •
-
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 •
-
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 •
-
Five things we learned from the Tour Down Under 2020
The first WorldTour race of the season is done and dusted
By Stephen Puddicombe •
-
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 •
-
Matthew Holmes says he's 'never really raced up climbs' after beating Richie Porte at the Tour Down Under
The Brit beat Richie Porte to take a stage win in his first-ever WorldTour race
By Jonny Long •
-
Richie Porte seals Tour Down Under title as Brit Matthew Holmes takes stage six win
The Tasmanian attacked on Willunga Hill with only WorldTour debutant Holmes able to stay with him
By Jonny Long •
