Denmark’s Cecily Uttrup-Ludwig produced a strong finish to move into the lead on the Australian Women’s Tour Down Under and move into Saturday’s second stage, setting up a thrilling showdown ahead of the World Tour opener.
The diminutive Dane (FDJ-Suez), making his Australian racing debut, dominated the peloton in the uphill finish to conquer TDU’s longest stage, spanning 104.2 kilometers (64.7 miles) from Glenelg outside Adelaide to Stirling.
Uttorp Ludwig beat local Italians Soraya Paladin (Canyon-SRAM) and Sofia Bertizzolo (UAE Team-ADQ) to take a two-second lead heading into Sunday’s third and final stage on the competitive Willunga Hill. It culminated in a decisive showdown.
“It feels great to come to Australia, where my boyfriend is from, and win. It’s great,” she said.
Uttorp Ludwig is looking forward to defending the leader’s jersey on the iconic hill climb.
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“I’m just excited. I’ve done it a few times as a scout and I think it’s going to be fireworks,” she said.
Uttorp Ludwig, who claimed an emotional stage win at the 2022 Tour de France Fam, admitted the win came after changing team plans mid-race.
“Plan A was to sprint for (defending champion) Grace Brown, but we actually figured out how to do it all and I’m excited about it. ” she said.
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“But then Grace wasn’t feeling too well so we had to change our plans, but I’m really glad we did it.”
Uttorp Ludwig has been in Australia for several weeks acclimatizing and said he had plenty of time to get used to the race stages.
“It’s so nice to be here and compete twice in the summer and race early,” she said.
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Uttorp Ludwig patiently held his place in the top five throughout the stage, making a devastating sprint 150 meters from the finish.
She will now wear the ocher leader’s jersey for the final race at Willunga Hill, where she is just 10 seconds behind the top 15 in the overall standings.
Three-time Australian champion and renowned climber Amanda Spratt (Riddle Trek) is seventh, but well within range.
Willunga Hill is synonymous with the Tour Down Under, but this year it will be used by the women’s peloton for the first time.
RSM/DHW