Davis all but seals Tour Down Under

Posted: Saturday 24th January 2009 | 8:29

AUSTRALIA'S Allan Davis has continued his dominance of the Tour Down Under by claiming his third stage win in five attempts on the gruelling Willunga Hill.

The 28-year-old Queenslander led from the front in the 148-kilometre stage, adding to victories in stages two and four - tightening his grip on the ochre jersey.

"This is absolutely unbelievable, I wouldn't be here without my team," said Davis. "It's been another amazing day with the crowds. I just can't believe how well the event has gone.

"It's never over until you cross the final line of the final stage but we've worked hard, we deserve it and it's nice to have a little bit of a buffer."

Lance Armstrong showed glimpses of old as he continues his comeback from three-and-a-half years out of the saddle, finishing 23rd on Saturday, leaving him 49 seconds behind Davis in 29th.

But the seven-time Tour de France winner admitted there was work to do if he is to mark his comeback year with a return to winning ways.

'I didn't have the needed punch to make a difference, but we were there and, I guess, going in that's what I kind of hoped for, so no complaints," he said.

"I have to keep reminding myself it's January not later July. This is still the first race back after a long time and I'd be kidding myself if I expected to show up and pound people. That's just not the way it's going to work."

José Joaquin Rojas (Caisse d'Epargne) took second place in the sprint finish, just ahead of former Tour Down Under winners Martin Elmiger (AG2R La Mondiale) and Stuart O'Grady (Team Saxo Bank).

Australia's O'Grady holds second place on the general classification, 25 seconds behind Davis who is leading with a time of 17:44.59 hours.

Davis, the only rider to have competed at the Tour Down Under in each of the last 11 years since its conception, will now add the finishing touches to his victory with a 90-km circuit around the streets of Adelaide.