Team Katusha’s rider Rüdi Selig finished 7th today in the bunch sprint at the fourth stage of the Santos Tour Down Under in Mount Barker.

"Honestly, on the last climb I was on the limit, but I am happy I could follow the leaders and to stay in front. In the sprint I fought for the stage victory, but maybe I started a little bit too late. Anyway, I was close and it motivates me," said Rüdi Selig.

The stage of 144,5 km started in Glenelg with a number of attacks, but for a long time nobody could go in a breakaway. Only after 20 km 4 riders, including ex-leader of the race Jack Bobridge from UniSA-Australia, managed to get a gap and to organize a breakaway group. However, after 75 km of racing this group was neutralized.

Later, after the first intermediate sprint at km 90 another group of 3 riders, Maxim Belkov from Team Katusha, Ruslan Tleubayev from Astana and Pieter Serry from Etixx – Quick Step escaped, taking a good advantage of 2 minutes. But with 9 km to the finish line the peloton caught them.

Finally everything was decided in a bunch sprint, won by Steele Von Hoff from UniSA-Australia, who outsprinted Daryl Impey from Orica-GreenEdge and Wouter Wippert from Drapac. Rüdi Selig, who opened the sprint with 250 meters to go, finished 7th.

Unfortunately, two Katusha riders Alexey Tsatevich who was entering the sprint in a good position, and Vladimir Isaychev who helped him, were involved in a big crash with 150 meters to go.

"The stage final was marred by a big crash with 150 meters to the finish line and we had two riders heavily involved – Alexey Tsatevich and Vladimir Isaychev. Somebody crashed down in front of them and at such a high speed it was impossible to avoid the impact. The guys were able to finish the race, but immediately Alexey was brought to the hospital for medical check-up of his ribs as well as his finger. Vladimir was more “lucky” – he only had scrapes and bruises," said sports director of Team Katusha Gennady Mikhaylov.

In the general classification Rohan Dennis from BMC still leads the race, while Tiago Machado of Katusha is 12th, 25 seconds behind.

Tomorrow the decisive stage of the Tour Down Under will take place – 151,5 km from McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill, which will be passed by the riders twice.