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Report: Crash limits sprint chances – Tour Down Under, stage 1

January 18, 2012 - Filed under: Team Garmin-Barracuda

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A crash in the final kilometer took the argyle sprint crew out of the running, with Heinrich Haussler looking otherwise strong for the finish. DS’ Allan Peiper and Geert Van Bondt sent this report.

Temperatures hit 42C yesterday and everyone suffered. Four riders were away after 5km and after 15km we turned right into the head wind and our boys hit the front. The peloton split into four groups and it was battle stations for many.

After the feed we put one into the chase, interchanging with Bauer and Maaskant.

Into the final and the boys tried hard to make position. Nathan came up to Robby and Heino at 2km to move them up. He got hooked off the road but did not crash.

At the km to go mark a big crash occurred. Robby and Heino were on the wheel of Greipel who just missed a crash but both our guys went down. Robby hit the back part of his bike on a car but is otherwise ok. Heino went down too so game over for us on stage 1.

Heino has a stiff wrist and a little skin off but is ok. Everyone really suffered in the heat.

Wednesday is a hard stage with four times around the finish in Sterling (3km false flat climb). That should be the best stage for Heino and temperatures should be mid 30′s.