Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe delivered a solid performance at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in Geelong, Australia, with defending champion Laurence Pithie securing third in a blistering contest under extreme heat. The race, marked by temperatures soaring up to 40°C, saw Pithie take second in a reduced sprint three seconds behind race winner Mauro Schmid.
The race came down to the steep Challambra Crescent climb, where a series of attacks shattered the peloton. The final group that formed in the last few kilometres included Pithie and Fisher-Black, alongside some of the race's top contenders. However, it was Schmid who broke away with just 8 km remaining. Despite their efforts, the group was unable to bridge the gap to the solo leader, and was left to contest the podium placings in a reduced sprint in Geelong. Taking third overall, Pithie’s performance also nets him the best young rider’s jersey for the race.
His podium finish, which comes a year after his victory at the race, caps off a strong performance by the squad in Australia, which includes victory at the Schwalbe Classic, three Tour Down Under stage wins and the sprint jersey with Sam Welsford, third overall at the Tour Down Under with Finn Fisher-Black, and second place at the Surf Coast Classic with Welsford.
Laurence Pithie:
It was a good race. We rode perfectly all day until the finish. So big thanks to the guys, who kept me in front and out of trouble. I had quite an easy day until the important climbs, which was a really good position to be in. Unfortunately, I had to use up some energy ahead of the finale, and I think that hurt my sprint a little. However, to be on the podium isn’t a bad result, so we can be happy with the result and team performance.
Photo: Getty Sport