Anderson takes over lead in Tour of Gippsland.

Queensland's Jack Anderson (Budget Forklifts) has clinched the lead in the Lakes Oil Tour of Gippsland - the sixth event in the Subaru National Road Series - after he was victorious in Licola on a wet and wild afternoon. Anderson took out the 97 kilometre fifth stage ahead of reigning track world champion Alex Morgan (VIS) and Nathan Earle (Huon-Salmon) in a three man sprint. “I’m very happy,” exclaimed Anderson. “I came into this tour with a really bad cold and I said to the guys ‘every day I will get better’ and I think the best is yet to come.

“I got the yellow jersey after stage one in Perth but lost it the next day,” Anderson said of the series’ opening round. “Hopefully this time with a bit more luck and better legs we can defend the jersey until Sunday.” Anderson was able to reel in a solo Earle moments before the line after the Tasmanian broke away with 15 kilometres remaining in the stage.

 

“We didn’t panic, the team knew if we could get over the top of that final King of the Mountain then there was still 15km to the finish, and in these weather conditions that’s a long way to be out the front,” Anderson explained.

Earle crested the final King of the Mountain first ahead of a splintered peloton, and continued a solo run into the as the heavens opened up. With 10kms left to race, Morgan took his chances at catching Earle however it wasn’t until Anderson had joined the pursuit that the duo caught a desperate Earle metres before the finish. “It was right down to the line there,” a deflated Earle said. “I could see them [Anderson and Morgan] coming and I wasn’t sure if I would get caught or not.

“On the last climb I gave it 100% and to get caught in the last 50m is a little upsetting but I gave it everything and that’s all you can do.”

In the morning’s criterium, West Australian Anthony Giacoppo (Huon-Genesys) claimed his second stage victory for the tour ahead of Tasmanians Ben Grenda (Team Polygon Australia) and teammate Earle. “Yesterday things didn’t quite go to plan and we wanted to make amends for that,” Giacoppo said.

“It was a tough stage, it started out fairly easily but with the wind picking up throughout the day – especially down the front straight – it made it tougher and tougher.” “We’ve got some really strong time trailers in Donnelly, Haig and Cooper who were rolling turns on the front from nine laps to go so everyone played their part in this win.” Heading into stage 6, Anderson holds a six second advantage on Earle while Morgan is a further 10 seconds off the pace.

Saturday’s action will see a criterium around Lakes Entrance before an afternoon road race from Lakes Entrance to Metung.

Words: Cycling Australia Media Release

Pic: Mark Gunter  http://markgunter.com.au/