Santos Tour Down Under

Antoine Huby confirmed he is a man of many talents as he celebrated his 23rd birthday with a maiden World Tour top ten finish at the end of the flat and rather quiet stage four, which travelled from Murray Bridge to Port Elliot.

A puncheur who turned heads with the results he scored in his final U23 season in some prestigious races such as Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23, Flèche du Sud, Course de la Paix and Tour Alsace, Antoine showed he has what it takes to get involved also in a bunch sprint. Excellently guided by countryman Julian Alaphilippe, who helped him move through the field in the hectic closing kilometers, Antoine finished a strong eighth behind winner Sam Welsford (Bora-hansgrohe), bringing the team’s first top ten of the week.

“I’m happy that I could be there and go for a good result in what is my first race with Soudal Quick-Step. I want to thank the team for their belief in me and for working so hard to put me in a good position for the sprint. Top ten is a nice way to celebrate my birthday”, said a happy Antoine, who is our best placed rider in the GC ahead of the race’s first real test, the iconic Willunga Hill.

Photo credit: ©Wout Beel