NTT Pro Cycling (Australia) - Press Release: Giacomo Nizzolo (NTT Pro Cycling) sprinted to the stage 5 victory at the Santos Tour Down Under, beating Simone Consonni (Cofidis) and Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quickstep), to take top honours.

The 149km Stage 5 of the Santos Tour Down proved to be one of the most thrilling of the week-long UCI World Tour race so far. Mitchelton-Scott took advantage of a sharp climb with 20km to go, and split the peloton in the hope of delivering defending champion, Daryl Impey, to the line.

NTT Pro Cycling’s Giacomo Nizzolo had just missed the front group, but as had been strategized before the stage, the Italian’s teammates rallied around him to bring him to back to the reduced group.

With Nizzolo now back into contention, the NTT Pro Cycling team worked on the front of the group to neutralize the remaining leading break that included the likes of Impey and race leader, Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo).

With a front group of only 60-odd riders charging to line in Victor Harbor, NTT Pro Cycling had strong representation with 6 riders in front and were able to take charge of the sprint finish in the final 5km.

Nizzolo finished off an excellent leadout from his team, sprinting to an emphatic victory. A first for the team this season and in the new colours of NTT.