Biniam Girmay was forced to hit the brakes after Julian Alaphilippe's accident forced him to brake instead of accelerating in the closing stages of the second stage of the Tour Down Under.

The Eritrean sprinter and Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step) were very much in the thick of the short but undulating stage from Norwood to Robetal before Mexican neo-pro Isaac Del Toro (UAE Emirates) officially introduced himself to the World Tour peloton. considered a strong contender.

"It's a shame because I tried to survive to the finish line," Gilmey said after the race. "I hit Alaphilippe [probably his leg] in the last 500 meters and the wheel wasn't straight anymore. But to be honest, I think the UAE was the strongest today.

Up to that point, the Intermarche Wanty rider had been pacing himself on the final climb up Fox Creek.

"I didn't want to expose myself, so I paced myself.

"Then I looked at the computer and saw the wattage forecast and I survived good. From then on the race was all gas and I didn't have enough racers to control ......."

Zillmey held on to fourth place behind the Israeli Premier Tech pairing of Corbin Strong and Steven Wells. It was the second day in a row that Wellsford and Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious) finished in third place, following their third place finish on the first stage. The 23-year-old currently leads the points standings and, at Wednesday's press conference, expressed confidence in the new royal blue he will wear on stage 3.

"I've adjusted for it and I think tomorrow will be an easier race," he said. There are still plenty of chances. I usually like to wear the points jersey and that's what I'm working for.

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