On Friday in Australia UCI Latvian champion in the third stage of the multi-day world tour “Santos Tour Down Under” in the distance of 116.8 kilometers Emils Liepins fell behind the leaders in the final climb and ranked 99th. Spanish hill rider Pello Bilbao celebrated the victory stage, Latvijas informs Cycling federation.
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The third stage of the tour was quite rich in climbs. The decisive battle took place less than ten kilometers before the finish in the first category climb. Emīls Liepiņš, who proved himself very successfully the previous two days, winning the sixth and seventh places respectively, lost contact with the leaders. It must be said right away that a similar fate befell the other sprinters starting in the tour.
The decisive gap was also formed in the climb. It featured three athletes – Pello Bilbao, Adam Yates and Jay Wine. At the finish, the fastest of this trio turned out to be Bilabo, who thus provided the “Bahraim Victourius” team with its second victory in the cycling race. Second place for Yates, but the home team Vains completed the top three.
In the closest group of followers, who lost 28 seconds to the winner, there were two teammates of Emil Liepins from “Trek – Segafredo” – Eritrean Natnaels Tesfatsions and Italian Antonio Tiberīs. Sixth and seventh place for both. Emīls Liepiņš finished 6 minutes and 40 seconds behind the winner and took 99th place.
In the overall standings before the last two stages, the athlete of the “UAE Team Emirates” team, Vain, is the leader, who is 15 seconds ahead of the closest follower, Pello Bilbao. Liepiņš dropped to 74th place, 7 minutes and 34 seconds behind the leader.
The tours will continue on Saturday with the 133.2 kilometer long fourth stage. The last kilometers will lead to a slight climb.
