Impey faces biggest fears

South African star wary of two hilltop finishes

WARNING bells are going off for Daryl Impey over two stages of this year’s Santos Tour Down Under, as he dreams of a historic three-peat ahead of today’s start.

Impey last year became the first rider in the race’s history to go back-to-back and has returned to spearhead Mitchelton-Scott’s assault on a third ochre jersey in a row. Last year the South African was third up Old Willunga Hill and incredibly on the same time as Richie Porte, as he sealed a 13-second win.

But this year Impey notes a second uphill finish at Paracombe on Stage 3, where Porte set up his ochre jersey win in 2017.

“I think there’s going to be two stages that are against me, where I could potentially lose time, and after Stage 3 a lot of teams will be in the same boat to see where to take the race,” he said. “Last year I stepped up, especially on Willunga, and improved there so, who knows, maybe things will go better or worse.”

If Impey isn’t in position or doesn’t climb strongly up Paracombe, the team will have Simon Yates, who won the 2018 Vuelta a Espana, as a second card to play. But first priority is Impey, who can sprint as well as climb with the best in a race suited to the genuine allrounders because of the time bonuses on offer each stage.

“There’s no doubt this is my favourite race on the calendar and it’s an important race for our team,” Impey said.

“We are coming back with the same sort of strategy to last year. I don’t feel the pressure that I need to do the threepeat. It would obviously be great but I’ll take it day by day. Every day there is a different obstacle, there are new riders and ambitions and a lot of teams have different strategies.

“With Paracombe in the race this year it also changes things up, so I’d love to do the hat-trick but I’m ready for it and that’s all I can do.

“It’s the most enjoyable race on the calendar, the best organised outside of a Grand Tour and it’s always great to start the season in Adelaide.”