Geraint Thomas celebrates as he crosses the line to win stage two of the Tour Down Under. Picture: GETTY IMAGES
CYCLING
Corkscrew, a pile-up and a storming ride from Geraint Thomas combined to destroy Australian hopes at the Tour Down Under.
At least two riders were hospitalised after yesterday's crash and Australian Bernie Sulzberger (UniSA) suffered a dislocated finger, which he re-set himself.
Belgian road race world champion Philippe Gilbert (BMC) needed teammates to push him to the stage finish because his bike was damaged in the crash and he could not pedal.
Thomas, the Welsh two-time Olympic track champion, was outstanding as he won the 116.5 kilometre second stage from Mount Barker to suburban Rostrevor and took the overall lead.
The Sky rider was in a breakaway group of four riders, with the crash happening in the lead chase group.
Thomas leads Spaniard Javier Moreno (Movistar) by five seconds, with Belgian Ben Hermans (Radioshack Leopard) third at seven seconds.
"I came here just wanting to work hard and possibly get a stage," Thomas said.
"So I've done that and that's fantastic - GC [general classification] would be a massive bonus now if it happened."
Stunningly, there is now no Australian in the top 10 of the top road race.
Adam Hansen is best-placed at 14th overall, among 12 riders who are 14 seconds behind Thomas.
It was also a disastrous day for top Australian team Orica-GreenEDGE.
Their defending champion, Simon Gerrans, lost more than two minutes on the Corkscrew climb and, like fellow race favourite Gilbert, is now well out of contention.
The best-placed GreenEDGE rider is Australian Simon Clarke, who is one minute 28 seconds behind Thomas at 39th overall.
Given Thomas's form and the strength of his team, only a rider within about 20 seconds of the overall lead remains in contention.
It is understood a rider over-cooked a blind corner on the descent from the steep Corkscrew Road climb, less than 7 kilometres from the finish.
Altogether, about 15 riders were involved in the pile-up.
Former Australian champion Matt Lloyd was one of six riders who needed treatment for cuts and abrasions after the crash. AAP
