Rohan Dennis – heir apparent
Rohan Dennis – heir apparent
The Tour Down Under was a chance for an Australian legend to say his farewells to his home supporters, and his heir apparent looks to have been discovered already.
Cadel Evans (BMC Racing), former world champion and Tour de France 2011 winner – the only Australian to win either, ended his WorldTour career in Adelaide after a stunning career.
But team-mate Rohan Dennis showed the future is certainly bright for fans Down Under as he led the first all-Australian podium since 2004.
Dennis’ victory showed great tactical nous, as he seized his moment to win stage four and showed great strength to maintain a slender lead as Richie Porte (Team Sky) won stage five atop Willunga Hill.
Revitalised by his mid-season move to BMC Racing last year, which ended with him helping the American team to world team time trial success, Dennis is in great form ahead of his UCI Hour Record attempt next month.
And with a first WorldTour win under his belt, and second place in the national time trial championships, this could well be a great year for the Aussie ace.
For Evans, meanwhile, the man showed his class to the end – protecting Dennis on stage six with the simple instruction to ‘follow me’ as he tailed Porte’s every move and delivered his young protégé to the top step of the podium.
The Great Ocean Road Race will be his final farewell on Sunday, just days after another iconic modern-era Australian sportsman, cricketer Brett Lee, also ends a famous career.
And like Lee’s exploits on the cricket field, the path Evans has forged on the road will not be forgotten by his countrymen in a hurry.