The big story on the final stage of the Women’s Tour Down Under was undoubtedly Noemi Rüegg’s triumph against a trio of UAE Team ADQ riders for the overall win, but behind the leaders, it was Canadian racer Sarah Van Dam who proved best of the rest.
The 24-year-old was making her debut for Visma-Lease a Bike after making the switch from Ceratizit over the winter, and rode a consistent three days, converting fifth places on the first day in Willunga and the finale to finish fifth overall.
On the final stage to Campbelltown, Van Dam reacted to an attack by UAE riders Mavi García and Paula Blasi before she was forced to drop back. The second time up the climb, she led the chase behind the leading quartet, and she’d eventually lead the group home to take fifth place, 12 seconds down.
In the end, fifth overall at 25 seconds down on Rüegg came as a strong start to Van Dam’s time with Visma.
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