Consonni makes it to the top 5 in Australia

Simone Consonni has reaffirmed his place among the fastest riders competing in Australia.
After the 5th place he scored on Sunday in the People’s Choice Classic criterium, the UAE Team Emirates cyclist repeated the same placement in the opening stage for the Tour Down Under (Port Adelaide-Lyndoch, 145 km), in a final sprint won by Greipel ahead of Ewan, Sagan and Viviani (photo Bettini).

Consonni spoke with satisfaction and plenty of determination after the race. “Today again my team mates were perfect; they did a good job guiding me to the final, getting me onto Marcato’s tyre for the last kilometre.
The level of competition in the final sprint was impressive; at 300 metres I got a bit closed out and I had to come back from behind. I’m satisfied because my legs responded well and I managed to close in on the leaders. These are good signs that make me optimistic as we look ahead to the next several days.”

Stage 1 results
1 André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) 3h50’21”
2 Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott) s.t.
3 Peter Sagan (Bora Hansgrohe) s.t.
4 Eliva Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) s.t.
5 Simone Consonni (UAE Team Emirates) s.t.

General classification after stage 1
1 André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) 3h50’11”
2 Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott) 4″
3 William Clarke (EF-Drapac) s.t.
4 Peter Sagan (Bora Hansgrohe) 6″
8 Simone Consonni (UAE Team Emirates) 10″