Geraint Thomas wins 2nd stage of Tour Down Under

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) -- Welshman Geraint Thomas won the short but demanding second stage of cycling's Tour Down Under on Wednesday, avoiding a 15-man fall near the finish that brought down world champion Philippe Gilbert.

The 72-mile stage featured a new addition to the race; an arduous climb up the Corkscrew; a 4.5-mile series of switchbacks with a gradient near the end of around 15 degrees.

That climb was designed to counter the historical dominance of sprinters over the 15-year history of the six-stage race, the first event of the World Tour.

us on Facebook for the latest news and information from Clark County
on Twitter for the latest news and information from Clark County