'Swamped by the tailwind' - Welsford and Brennan reflect positively after first sprint showdown Down Under

However, in the end, it was Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon CMA CGM) who had the perfect lead-out and delivered a fine sprint to take the stage win. Matthew Brennan (Visma | Lease a Bike) and Welsford, who both had to make up significant distance in the sprint, charged quickly behind the Dane, but narrowly ran out of road, finishing in second and third, respectively.

Despite missing out on the stage win, Welsford credited his own teammates as well as Visma for the work that the two teams did in controlling the race to ensure a sprint finish occurred.

“The boys rode really well today, hats off to my team. Lucas [Hamilton] rode up front all day. It was just us and Visma. So hats off to us for doing that, no one else gave us really much help,” said Welsford after the finish.

Brennan, who came even closer to beating Andresen than Welsford, also reflected positively on the work of his team throughout the 120.6km stage.

“We rode a strong race as a team today. We controlled the stage from start to finish and were well positioned at the front in the closing kilometres,” said Brennan. “Maybe we took the wrong line in the final kilometre, but overall we can be happy with our performance. The feeling is good.”

In the chaotic finale, whilst linking up with his new sprint train in action for the first time, Welsford credited his team’s initial strong position and foothold heading into the final kilometre, but acknowledged that the tailwind meant it wasn’t favourable to be on the front so soon.

“We kind of got a little bit swamped just on the finish here. We did a really good job taking the front around the last corner. We had like three guys in front of me with over 1km to go, but we just got a little bit swamped with the tailwind,” explained Welsford.

"And I kind of got stuck in the barriers there, I couldn't really get out, and I was just kicking myself. I wish I could have found a way around and opened up the sprint because I had to stop pedalling at like 20 metres from the line. So it is what it is, but, yeah, I'm pretty happy with how the boys rode today.”

Welsford is also looking forward towards stage three, which he believes is the next opportunity where he can fight for a stage win. The Australian explained how he is intrigued to see how his connection with his teammates has improved after their first sprint rodeo together.

“That’s the first time we've really come together and done a lead-out like this in a race. So, for us to see their commitment and see how much everyone went for each other there and defended each other in this race was really special,” said Welsford.

“'I'm really looking forward to the next sprint opportunity. Stage three will be a little bit more tricky, maybe a little bit more harder sprint day, but I think we showed that we can be fighting up there and doing it together, so more fire for stage three.”

For Brennan, stage 2, despite featuring the difficult Corkscrew Road climb, is one that the young British rider has his eyes on, as long as his climbing legs are in check.

“Tomorrow will be a very tough day, but I hope to stay in contention until the finale,” said Brennan. “There are also a few opportunities later this week, which I’m looking forward to with a lot of confidence.”