TEAM Budget Forklifts rider Luke Davison has resurrected his cycling career with a winning double on the first day of the Lakes Oil Tour of Gippsland. The 22-year-old powered to victory in both the opening San Remo criterium and the
66.75km road race on the world-renowned Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, which made its debut as a stage host.
Ideal conditions greeted the 162 riders, which included Davison, who was on the comeback trail after a serious crash while training.

The incident, in which he landed on his face, resulted in him being bedridden for three weeks with a fractured eye socket. "Having those three weeks off, I questioned what I was doing and where I wanted to be in two or three years," he said. "I've come back mentally refreshed."The Lakes Oil Tour of Gippsland is his first competitive hit-out sincegetting back on the bike on July 1. It's a shorter break compared to the one he had at the end of 2009 following a stint at the AIS.

Prior to joining the institute, he collected three titles at the 2008 World Junior Track Championships in South Africa in the madison, omnium and team pursuit - doing so while he was a year 12 student. The next step in his promising career was the AIS but he admitted he didn’t have the necessary mental and physical attributes, leading to the hiatus.
“I had a year off at the end of 2009,” he said. “I came back in 2010 and joined Budget Forklifts. “Ever since I’ve been trying to get some form.”

He showed exceptional form today, grabbing tour leader honours ahead of Genesys Wealth Advisers’ Anthony Giacoppo, who is a five seconds back in second place. In the Credit Collect criterium this morning, Davison edged out Budget Forklifts teammate Ryan Macanally. "I went out early and tried to get some sprint points," Davison said.
"Before I knew it, half the field went after the sprints so I tried to stay out of trouble. "In the end, luckily I had the legs."
The Sydney-based rider, who heaped praise on his teammates, said the criterium triumph gave him a confidence boost heading into the Thiess Degremont-sponsored Phillip Island stage.

The peloton make their way around the Philip Island circuit on stage two of the tour. Pictures: Mark Gunter.