Gerrans takes opening stage of Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under

Simon Gerrans (AG2R)

Simon Gerrans (AG2R) (Image credit: Mark Gunter)

Australian Simon Gerrans (AG2R - Prevoyance) won the opening road stage of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under yesterday afternoon after he and three of the races strongest riders escaped from the already-split peloton with 50km to go. Gerrans, defending champion Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Liberty Seguros - Wurth), Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) and William Walker (United Water - Australia U23) broke away from a 29-rider lead group that already had 15 minutes' advantage over the rest of the field.