Kirsipuu cracks another down under

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While those watching Jaan Kirsipuu win today's first stage of the Herald Sun Tour may have been surprised, the experienced Estonian knows he has what it takes to take victories at the highest level.

Speaking in Ballarat after beating the likes of Garmin-Slipstream's Chris Sutton and preface winner Jonathan Cantwell (Fly V Australia), Kirsipuu was straight to the point.

"I never retired. For the last two years I have been mostly at home in Estonia but I never stopped riding," the four-time Tour de France stage winner explained. "Now I am riding around the world in places I did not ride so much before."

While Kirsipuu may not be riding races such as the Tour anymore, it doesn't mean he has lost the edge for the occasion. "If I have a number on my back, I am a rider. I don't want to feel ridiculous," he added.

And on a day where that competitive edge was tested, LeTua's captain came through with the goods and recognised that it wasn't easy. "I am used to be alone, even when I was with the big teams, so I am quite used to it," he said. "I didn't have my best legs today especially at the beginning because I have no racing for three weeks. But as the stage went on, it started to feel a bit better," he explained.

The stage was highlighted by a series of crashes, including one after just 20 kilometres of racing that sent last week's Tour of Tasmania winner Bernie Sulzberger (Fly V Australia) to hospital with deep abrasions and lacerations to his left side.

Kirsipuu narrowly missed the last one, just 200 metres from the finish when Zac Dempster, who was on his wheel, collided with a road sign and fell heavily. Using every bit of his vast experience, the Estonian was undeterred and rode to a stage win that came with the trappings of the race lead.

"I saw the Garmin guys leading out and for me it was just a question to keep on Chris Sutton's wheel. With 200 metres to go I decided to kick and was a little bit afraid that the others might catch me, but it was okay, " said Kirsipuu.

The general classification hopes of Jayco Australian National Team co-captain Richie Porte and British road champion Kristian House (Rapha Condor) are over after they found themselves caught in the main bunch that eventually finished 18 minutes behind the 41-man break that contested the sprint in today's stage.

Up front however, Chris Sutton (Garmin) and Jonathan Cantwell (Fly V Australia) were again prominent in the final dash for the line as they were in Sunday's Preface, taking the minor placings behind Kirsipuu. Sutton's team mate and Tour favourite, Bradley Wiggins always looked comfortable in the lead group, as did Ben Day (Fly V Australia), who finished third overall last year.

Cantwell, who will wear the Budget Forklifts green jersey tomorrow after finishing in the points in all three sprints contested today, was happy with the outcome.

"The finish was really tight, Garmin led out and I pretty much just held on. I'm kind of glad we don't have the yellow jersey for tomorrow because it puts a little more pressure on you," the Queenslander said.

Garmin got its jersey in the Herald Sun King of the mountains classification with US rider, Alex Howes, winning one and finishing second in the other of the day's two climbs.

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