Danish young gun Tobias Lund Andresen (Team Picnic PostNL) crossed the finish line first in a hard and fast race to claim victory in the Surf Coast Classic – Men.

The event, which is supported by the Victorian Government through Visit Victoria, follows a 158km point-to-point format, with Andresen narrowly beating out Aussie Sam Welsford (RedBull-BORA-hansgrohe) and German Tim Torn Teutenberg (Lidl – Trek).

Click here to watch the full highlights

In a relentless contest of speed and endurance, Andresen won in a close bunch sprint, capping off an extremely active race by all teams and riders.

EF Education–EasyPost, was extremely active in terms of trying to break the race up, which kept the pressure and eventually wore teams down and provided the opportunity for a Team Picnic PostNL to win.

At the 62-kilometre mark, teams slowed down to take a rest, with a large bunch capitalising on this and was where the first big split formed.

The teams now turn their attention to the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race – Men on Sunday.

Top Race Results:

  1. Tobias Lund Andresen (Team Picnic PostNL)
  2. Sam Welsford (RedBull-BORA-hansgrohe)
  3. Tim Torn Teutenberg (Lidl – Trek)
  4. Corbin Strong (Israel – Premier Tech)
  5. Natnael Tesfazion Ocbit (Movistar Team)

Click here for full results

Q&A from Tobias Lund Andresen (Team Picnic PostNL)

What made the difference today?
“My team 100%, they really put pressure on Bora, they had the biggest and fastest guy here and also in the world so it was good for us to get in front of them and they used up their whole team. They made me really save a lot of energy, so I had good enough legs for the finish.”

What does the win mean to you?
“It means a lot to me. It’s the first one day event and before the season started, I said I want to win a one day race and that’s already crossed off now. It’s also important for a sprinter’s confidence to get up on the board.”

Now, just resting up for Sunday’s race?
“Yeah, did some training the last couple of days, we also need to stay ready for Sunday. I think we will take it easy tomorrow. I’ll ride back here to just spin the legs and then yeah, open up the legs on Saturday and then there’s full focus on Sunday.”

Q&A from Sam Welsford (RedBull-BORA-hansgrohe)

How did you feel about the race?
“It was a Red Bull Bora versus the world today. I sort of felt like it was a hard day out, but yeah, we knew that was going to come. The course was tough and changing all throughout the day and I think it was the only way that they were really going to beat us was by making it really hard for us. They definitely did that.”

What do you take form this race into Sunday?
“The boys are flying still, they’re going really well and I think if we can bring back these big splits like today, we should be really good for Sunday. We have options to play there in those in those situations, so I think we’ll be looking forward to it.”

How does it feel to be on the podium on home soil?
“I always love racing at home, we don’t get to do it as much because we’re in Europe for the majority of the season, so every race I do here I want to win and I want to stand on the top step or at least on the podium. It’s always special for me, I really cherish racing on home roads.”

Q&A from Tim Torn Teutenberg (Lidl – Trek)

How did you find the race?
“I think a lot of teams went hard and fast today so it took quite a long time. I think just for a moment everybody settled down and then they went again and from there we were chasing the whole day, I think most of the sprinters went hard in the the second part of the group and were trying to get back.”

When did you realise that it was going to come down to a sprint?
“I had to go pretty early, like 300 meters to go because once the leader from teams start to sprint, there’s no chance to catch. I went a bit too early at the lead so I think a place is quite good.”

You made it to the podium after falling short in the Tour Down Under. How’s it feel?
“Yeah, it’s really nice. I’m really happy to finally have it. It’s a good start to the pro world and it’s nice to be standing on the podium and not be fourth again.”