Photos: GettySport
Kathrin Schweinberger opened her account for Human Powered Health in style on her first day of racing by clinching third on stage 1 of the Tour Down Under.
Sprinting in high winds on the South Australia coastline, the 28-year-old made waves with the second WorldTour podium of her career at the end of the 102km stage from Brighton to Snapper Point.
“I’m really happy with the result today,” she said. “I immediately felt the trust of all my teammates. When we decided I would go for the sprint it was just a really nice feeling that I got the support from everyone.”
Stage winner Daniek Hengeveld (CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling Team) attacked just inside 50km from the line, leading over the rolling parcours to finish solo.
Behind, the peloton lined up for the sprint with Schweinberger expertly weaving her way through to the front, before narrowly being pipped to second place by Ally Wollaston (FDJ – SUEZ). The seaside finish mirrored that of Daria Pikulik’s opening stage victory in 2023 with the athletes battling a strong crosswind on the final straight.
“My teammates all did an amazing job,” Schweinberger explained. “Especially Silvia. She dropped me off with one kilometer to go, kept me out of all the mess, and put me in a really good position.”
A great start for Schweinberger in her new team colors, she will take this confidence into the rest of the weekend.
“My legs are feeling good,” she said. “The season is still early so for now I’m happy and looking forward to the next two days. I hope we can do something and support Ruth. I hope I will be there as long as possible. We enjoy it here and it’s a great atmosphere.”
It was a battling performance from Barbara Malcotti, too. Earlier in the stage, she showed her climbing legs were on top form by capturing third place and four points in the mountains classification at Heatherdale Hill.
Unfortunately, Marit Raaijmakers did not take to the start through sickness. She will now focus on recovery ahead of the rest of our campaign in Australia.
Stage 2 is crucial for the general classification. With two ascents of the 3.4km at 7.4% Willunga Hill, the climbers will come to the fore as they battle it out on its steep pitches.
Santos Tour Down Under stage one result
1 HANGEVELD Sandra – CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling Team 2:45:06
2 WOLLASTON Ally – FDJ – SUEZ 0:36
3 SCHWEINBERGER Kathrin – Human Powered Health ”
4 VAN DAM Sarah – CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling Team ”
5 BARBIERI Rachele – Team Picnic PostNL ”
6 RÜEGG Noemi – EF-Oatly-Cannondale ”
7 VAN DER DUIN Maike – CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto ”
8 COPPONI Clara – Lidl – Trek ”
9 GRANGIER India – Team Coop – Repsol ”
10 FITYUS Lucie – St Michel – Preference Home – Auber93 WE ”
Santos Tour Down Under QOM classification after stage one
1 POLITES Alyssa – Australia 10 points
2 WŁODARCZYK Dominika – UAE Team ADQ 6
3 MALCOTTI Barbara – Human Powered Health 4
4 FISHER-BLACK Niamh – Lidl – Trek 2
5 WYLLIE Ella – Liv AlUla Jayco 1
