A win is a win, wouldn't you agree ....... But for the UCI, the Schwalbe Classic Tour Down Under criterium is not an official race.

Caleb Yuan, competing for the Australian National Team, won Saturday night's criterium for the third straight time and the fifth time overall. Winning in Australia meant a lot to him.

He showed his pure speed and sprinting ability in Adelaide, beating Jordi Meeus of Beulah Hansgrohe and fellow Australian Kayden Groves, who was making his debut in the colors of Alpecin Desseuninck.

During the one hour and one lap of the race, there were numerous attacks with average speeds exceeding 50 km/h. On the final lap, Cameron Scott's ride secured the lead out for Barlene Victorious, who surged down the center of the road on the finish straight to finish first.

Ewan's official win total now stands at 59, including five stages at the Tour de France and five wins at the Giro d'Italia, but the criterium victory was significant for the 28-year-old from Sydney.

"This race doesn't count towards my yearly win count," Ewan told Cycling News after the awards ceremony in the race village.

"This race is the purest road sprint against WorldTour riders,"

"But whatever the record, winning here in Adelaide early in the season and before the Tour Down Under is a good confidence boost.

For Ewan, who spent part of the European winter in Australia, the win also confirmed the results of his training. Now he knows he is ready for the Tour Down Under, which starts on Tuesday.

The Lotto-Destney team recently announced that Ewan will compete in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and the UAE Tour before Milan-San Remo. His 2022 season did not reach his usual high standards and he missed out on a Grand Tour stage win, but everything seems to be back on track for 2023.

"The season has just started, so we are all trying to figure out who is in shape and who is out of shape," Ewan explained, revealing the psychology of the sprinters.

"As a sprinter, it's important to build momentum. There's a big sprint coming up in the Tour Down Under and I know that my sprinting is pretty good. That gives me confidence going into the race

"After the winter, I always have a little doubt as to whether I prepared the right way. This year I had a different coach and my training was a bit different.

"I was surprised by my run at the Australian Championships. I wasn't confident in the sprints.

"It was great to win this. It may not be a win, but it means more to me.