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Matilda Price

New Zealand neo-pro takes 'unbelievable' first WorldTour podium in intense Tour Down Under finale – and he wasn't even meant to be their sprinter

WorldTour Groupama New Zealand Sam Welsford Ineos Grenadiers Australia
NAIRNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: Sam Welsford of Australia and Team INEOS Grenadiers (R) celebrates at finish line as stage winner ahead of (L-R) Aaron Gate of New Zealand and XDS Astana Team and Lewis Bower of New Zealand and Team Groupama - FDJ United during the 26th Santos Tour Down Under 2026, Stage 3 a 140.8km stage from Henley Beach to Nairne / #UCIWT / on January 23, 2026 in Nairne, Australia. (Photo by Con Chronis/Getty Images).

Despite being only a matter of weeks into his first full year in the WorldTour, 21-year-old Lewis Bower (Groupama-FDJ United) took his first WorldTour podium on Friday as he sprinted to third on stage 3 of the Tour Down Under.

Bower, who has risen through the ranks with the Groupama development squad, was promoted to the WorldTour team last June, riding his first WorldTour event at the Tour of Guangxi, and at the Tour Down Under was not set to be the French team's designated sprinter.

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