George Bennett lost 13 seconds in the first tough stage of the Tour Down Under today. The Team LottoNL-Jumbo rider was unable to follow the first ten riders at the final climb, which Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEDGE) used as a launch pad for victory.

In the final 10 kilometres, the third stage of the Tour Down Under got serious. The tough final climb peaked in Montacute and left a five-kilometre descent to the line.

“It was our aim to lead out George Bennett as well as possible for that climb so he could compete with the best,” sports director Frans Maassen said. But Bram Tankink crashed badly just before that climb and that crash spoiled Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s plans. “We had to put too much energy in getting back into position after Bram’s crash. We were counting on more today.”

“We were caught behind the crash down the gorge into the final climb and lost Bram,” George Bennett added. “It was a big job to come back, but the boys helped a lot to bring me up. Unfortunately, we paid for the effort. We fought to the front, but I was too far in the red zone to follow the best guys in the final. Tomorrow is another chance, though.”

Bram Tankink went to the hospital, after to race, for inspection.