Jay Vine Powers to Stage Two Victory on Corkscrew Climb
Australian cycling star Jay Vine has delivered a masterclass performance on the iconic Corkscrew climb, securing a dominant victory in stage two of the Tour Down Under. The UAE Team Emirates rider blasted clear on the steep ascent, crossing the finish line ahead of teammate and defending champion Jhonatan Narvaez to claim the stage win and seize the overall race lead.
Commanding Performance on Historic Double Climb
The 148.1-kilometre stage from Norwood to Uraidla featured a historic first for the Tour Down Under: two ascents of the challenging Corkscrew climb. Vine and Narvaez broke clear together in the final kilometres, with Vine demonstrating superior strength as he powered away with 700 metres remaining on the 2.6-kilometre climb.
Vine now holds a six-second overall advantage over Narvaez, with the Ecuadorian rider appearing to struggle at times to maintain contact with his Australian teammate during their decisive attack. The pair's move near the Corkscrew summit effectively shattered the peloton, dropping several notable contenders including stage one leader Tobias Lund Andresen of Denmark and Australians Luke Plapp and Jack Haig.
Team Strength on Full Display
UAE Team Emirates demonstrated why they are considered the strongest squad in this year's Tour Down Under, unleashing their full firepower on Thursday's stage. Teammate Adam Yates finished in the chase group 58 seconds behind the leaders, further cementing the team's dominance.
The performance comes amid growing anticipation about the potential future participation of cycling superstar Tadej Pogacar in the Australian race. Earlier on Thursday, it was revealed that Pogacar's manager will visit the Tour this week, raising hopes that the four-time Tour de France champion might soon compete in Adelaide.
Strategic Racing and Strong Form
Vine arrived at the Tour Down Under with impressive form, having recently won the Australian time trial championship in Perth earlier this month. This preparation proved crucial as he executed a perfectly timed attack on the Corkscrew's steepest section.
The stage saw early action from a seven-rider breakaway group that included Australian criterium champion Jensen Plowright and compatriot Lucas Stevenson. However, the peloton never allowed the escapees to establish a significant advantage, with the remnants of the break being caught inside the final 20 kilometres, just before the second ascent of Corkscrew Road.
After cresting the climb, the race route took an unusual left turn rather than the traditional right, sending riders on an undulating 13-kilometre run to the finish in the Hills town of Uraidla. Vine and Narvaez maintained their advantage through this technical section, with Vine ultimately proving strongest in the final metres.
The women's race earlier this week also featured the historic double Corkscrew climb configuration, marking a significant evolution in the Tour Down Under's challenging route design. Vine's commanding performance on this demanding terrain has firmly established him as the rider to beat for what would be his second Tour Down Under title.
