Danny van Poppel crashes in chaotic Herald Sun Tour stage three finish
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 04/02/17 9:12am
Team Sky's hopes of victory on stage three of the Herald Sun Tour were thwarted by a late crash.
The team's leading sprinter Danny van Poppel was in position to challenge for victory at the end of the 165.6km stage but he suffered a nasty fall in the closing kilometres.
Defending champion Chris Froome and leader Damien Howson were also held up by the crash but all riders in the leading group were given the same time.
That means Froome remains in sixth place and trails Howson by 72 seconds heading into Sunday's final stage, which starts and finishes in Kinglake and includes four 4.5km climbs which could suit the Briton.
Victory in Saturday's stage went to America's Travis McCabe (UnitedHealthcare) while Team Sky's Luke Rowe, who had been leading out for Van Poppel, finished fourth after winning on Friday.
"It was a big workload for the boys," Rowe said.
"You've got a three-time Tour de France winner riding on the front to bring it back for a bunch sprint which was impressive to see.
"I was perfectly positioned with Danny with a kilometre-and-a-half to go but unfortunately he went down in the crash."
Stage Three result
1. Travis McCabe (USA/UnitedHealthCare Pro Cycling) 3hr 46min 00sec
2. Mitch Docker (AUS/Orica-Scott) +0s
3. Leigh Howard (AUS/Aqua Blue Sport) +0s
General Classification
1. Damien Howson (AUS/Orica-Scott) 12 hr 32min 12sec
2. Jai Hindley (AUS/Australian National Team) +38s
3. Kenny Elissonde (FRA/Sky) +53s
