Robert Gesink (Belkin) continued his strong showing in the Tour Down Under when he finished in 10th with the first chase group on today's third stage of the Tour Down Under. Now sitting in 5th on GC, the Belkin leader remains confident ahead of Saturday's big showdown on Willunga Hill.

Robert Gesink is still in contention for a top finish in Australia. The Dutch Belkin Pro Cycling Team rider finished 10th in Thursday’s stage 3 of the Tour Down Under and moved into the overall top 5. 

Cadel Evans (BMC) won the stage from Norwood to Campbelltown and is the new GC leader. On the line, the Australian had a lead of 15 seconds over a chasing group including Gesink. 

Evans attacked a few kilometres from the line on the infamous and steep Corkscrew Road climb. He was a chased by Richie Porte (Sky) and Simon Gerrans (Orica -Green Edge), but couldn’t be stopped by his fellow Australians. Eventually, those two were brought back by the ‘Group Gesink’. 

“It was a honest race on Corkscrew Road,” said Gesink. “When Porte and Gerrans tried to chase Evans, I just couldn’t follow. On the top the difference was still small, but because we had a couple of teammates of the chasing men ahead in the group, it was hard to bridge the gap. Luckily I was able to reel in Porte and Gerrans together with Garmin’s Nathan Haas. The level of riding is really high this week.” 

Gesink is feeling confident with still three days to go.

“Tomorrow is a flat ride which will normally end in a sprint. It will all come down to Willunga Hill on Saturday. That's an uphill finish and it well be something different to today's. It’s going to be a beautiful and fair fight. I’m 5th now, which is a good position to be in. I’m still looking to climb in the GC, however. I want to get the most out of this week.” 

 

Erik Dekker was pleased with the way the team had worked for leader Gesink in stage 3. “The strategy was clear,” stated the Sports Director afterwards. “We wanted Robert to start the final climb with a minimal loss of energy. That might sound easy, but it is very difficult. Of course the boys lost each other a few times, but they managed to find each other every time and so Robert was able to start the climb fresh.” 

Friday’s stage is likely to be a ride for the sprinters, but Dekker remains mysterious.

“I did a recon on the stage. We won’t be surprised easily.”

If the stage comes down to a sprint, the team is likely to give Graeme Brown his chance to shine.