Highlands’ cyclist Caleb Ewan has taken out a win in the first stage of the Tour Down Under.
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![FIRST STAGE WIN: Caleb Ewan took first stage victory at the 2017 Tour Down under in South Australia on January 17. Photo: Con Chronis. FIRST STAGE WIN: Caleb Ewan took first stage victory at the 2017 Tour Down under in South Australia on January 17. Photo: Con Chronis.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/GfMStvRrjUXJ4p3TzGH3Xu/f58cf540-dad8-4f9d-9192-9a0836e09f82.jpg/r645_0_4129_3191_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The first stage of the six-day event was raced in the Barossa Valley on Tuesday, January 17 but was shortened due to the heat.
The 145 kilometre stage was shortened by 26.5 kilometres as cyclists battled the scorching temperatures.
Temperatures rose to the low 40s before organisers decided it was not safe for the 133 riders to continue.
Ewan raced against Dutch rider Danny Van Poppel and Same Bennett from Ireland in the sprint finish.
The cyclist mimicked his performance from the 2016 Tour Down Under, where he also one the first stage.
So far this month Ewan has won the third stage of the Mitchelton Bay Classic series, successfully defended his Australian criterium title and won the People’s Choice Criterium for the second consecutive year.
Staging Connections: stage two will commence on January 18 in Stirling, the stage will be raced over 148.5 kilometres and will finish in Paracombe.