Brennan wants to give it a try in third stage of Tour Down Under, Williams predicts the toughest stage of the race

The third stage of Tour Down Under is approaching for the riders. After two sprint stages, which Sam Welsford won, it's now up to the GC riders. Last year's winner, Stephen Williams, expects even a tougher battle than on Willunga Hill. Nevertheless, Matthew Brennan also sees chances.

Williams, racing for Israel-Premier Tech, has not enjoyed the past two days as much. "It was honestly a bit of a stalemate. There was a lot of stress all day for nothing. There was a lot of headwinds on the climb, so the whole bunch went over it as one with a big sprint at the end. Glad to get that one out of the way. Yeah, just a day of stress, to be honest," he told the team. 

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Williams won last year's Tour Down Under

Williams anticipates toughest stage, and a real queen stage

The 28-year-old Brit looks forward than ever to the days ahead. "Hopefully having some better sensations." And Williams will need that, too, because he expects a tough battle in stage 3 already. "We did a recon a few days before the race started. It is a proper stage, I think, probably the queen stage. Maybe, depending on how the racing goes, it will be a lot harder than Willunga Hill. I expect some splits tomorrow and a real GC battle. Hopefully we can get ourselves there and have a good day," concluded the 2024 winner.

Although Williams expects a real GC stage, sprinter Matthew Brennan of Visma-Lease a Bike still has some hope. "I expect other teams to get involved in the race tomorrow. We will, of course, do our best to support Tom Gloag as best we can," Addy Engels told reporters after stage 2. Brennan, however, takes a slightly different view.

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Brennan

Brennan eager to go for own chances

The young British sprinter already impressed during his very first WorldTour race. Still, Gloag, who returns after struggling with another season full of injuries, is the leader of the Dutch formation. 'Well, I'd like to really give it a try,' Brennan told Cyclingnews after stage 2.

He sees opportunities because the riders had to climb Tuesday, Menglers Hill (2.8 km at 6.6%). It was a challenge for Welsford, he said afterward, who had to fight his way back to the peloton. However, the Visma-Lease a Bike debutant went smoothly over the top of him.

"I think even on the climb today, it was pretty okay. There was no part where I was under stress so I think I'm feeling pretty good for the hills tomorrow, and maybe yeah, just try and give it my all. Especially with the team, I think the team are really wanting to push for it and yeah, try and keep the white jersey, but also go for GC."

The Tour Down Under is traditionally a race where young riders are likelier to show themselves. With a podium finish in his first WorldTour race, Brennan has already firmly positioned himself as one of these riders. "I knew he was fast, but he surprises me, he surprises us so far. I don't know what he can do tomorrow. We have to see," Engels also told Cyclingnews.

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