Jay Vine top-10 in wet Tour Down Under prologue

Jay Vine was among the best to take 9th place in a wet and slippery opening prologue of the Tour Down Under in Adelaide, Australia.

The 27 year old put in a fast but conservative ride on the short, technical 5.5km course, clocking an average speed of 50.3 kmph, with a time of 6:33, +14 down on the winner of the day Alberto Bettiol (EF Education Easypost).

Alessandro Covi took a tumble on the wet course but escaped with abrasions and will be fit to start Stage 1 tomorrow on the hilly circuit in Tanunda (149.9km).

Vine: “I’m happy with how I went out there and importantly managed to stay upright in the wet and not ruin this brand new national champions skinsuit which was shipped over from Italy from Pissei especially for me. There are lots of stages with favourable terrain on the way in this race so we’re going to give it our all.”

Santos Tour Down Under Prologue results

1.Alberto Bettiol (EF Education Easypost) 6:19

2.Magnus Sheffield (Ineos Grenadiers) +8’’

3.Julius Johanson (Intermarche-Circus-Wanty) +10’’

9.Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) +14’’