Gerrans wins Tour Down Under for second time

By Richard Hutchinson 2012-01-23 17:58:33

ADELAIDE, Australia - Simon Gerrans justified his position as pre-race favourite to take the 2012 Tour Down Under, pipping Alejandro Valverde for the title on the basis of his better placings over the week-long race. Gerrans and Valverde finished in the same time of 20 hours 46 minutes and 12 seconds.

The Aussie rider, riding for the newly formed Australian team GreenEdge, had been the bookies' 15/2 favourite prior to the start of the Tour Down Under, which is the first major pro cycling event of 2012. Gerrans won the race in 2006 when it was part of the second tier of world races but he had very publicly stated his desire to win the race again.

Andre Greipel won the final stage to end the race with three stage victories but the two times winner lost his chance in the race on Friday with a disastrous day in which he failed to finish in the leading bunch.

Valverde showed form better than he expected on his return to pro road racing after serving a two year doping ban.

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