2010 ELGAS Tour of the Murray River - Stages 6 & 7
Joel Pearson sprints to stage glory and leader's purple jersey and Harrif Saleh picks up second win.
Joel Pearson stormed to the line to take a solid victory in Nyah West this morning. The twenty-seven year old proved too fast for Harrif Saleh (Malaysian National Team) and Anthony Giacoppo (Plan B Racing) on the 103km stage six. His win was enough for him to take the leader's purple jersey off New Zealand youngster James Williamson.
The stage got off to a rapid start with Genesys Wealth Advisers controlling the peloton early. It wasn't until fifty kilometres in that a group of riders broke away featuring Tom Robinson (Genesys Wealth Advisers), Cameron Peterson (Virgin Blue-RBS Morgans), Andrew Barlow (Blackpeloton), Mark Isaacs (Search2Retain-Myteam2) and Geoff Straub (McDonagh Blake-Witness).
The group were caught five kilometres to the finish and that's where the major teams started to get their sprint trains organised. Heading into Nyah West, it was Pearson sprinting to the line first.
'It's great to win here today. My team-mates are riding strongly and I'm feeling fresher by the day. After a few times on the podium, I'm happy to finally get on the top step,' Pearson said.
Tom Robinson, who was part of the early break took the king of the mountains jersey off Adam Phelan claiming five points. Saleh's second place was one he was happy with and the smiles kept coming when he won stage seven a few hours later. The young Malaysian was too strong for the consistent Rico Rogers and stage one winner Stuart Shaw on the 57km journey from Nyah to Manangatang.
The stage got off to a fast start as Sam Davis (Plan B Racing), Andrew Roe (Virgin Blue-RBS Morgans) and Brendan Brooks (Shortis.com.au) dominated most the stage in a three man break. The trio held a maximum advantage of forty seconds but were caught in the final five kilometres.
In the closing stages it was Genesys Wealth Advisers leading the race. Rico Rogers made an early dash for the line but it was Saleh powering home for victory.
'I'm really happy. This morning I got a second place and I got a win this afternoon. I'm feeling pretty tired but it's good to take a win,' Saleh said.
The ultra–consistent Rogers again picked up second place and reflected on what could have been.
'I went too early. I'm so eager to win one. I'm chasing and doing everything I can to get over the line first. It hurt not to get the win today,' he described.
Roe, the older brother of Tim — who rides for Trek Livestrong, was rewarded with the most aggressive rider jersey. Gordon McCauley (Hyster - Rush Racing) held onto the sprint jersey and Tom Robinson held the king of the mountains. Stage three winner James Williamson still leads the best young riders classification.
Joel Pearson is confident Genesys Wealth Advisers can defend the jersey all the way to the finish on Sunday.
'Hopefully I can hold onto the purple jersey until the the tour finishes in Mildura on Sunday. The team are riding strong and the confidence and morale in the camp is high,' he said.
The tour continues Thursday with a 48km Kermesse in Robinvale followed by a 52km at Euston in the afternoon.
Genesys Wealth Advisers
Director Andrew Christie-Johnston on the day's racing.
'The boys are riding well together. It's great to come here and get a win. We are in a great position for the overall and everyone within the Genesys Wealth Advisers camp — support crew and riders can be pretty pleased with themselves. We have the purple jersey and are in a strong position. It's a bonus having Tom Robinson in the King of the Mountain's jersey as well. He's been riding well lately.
We'll see what the next few stages bring. It's going to be hard all the way to Mildura and anything can happen. We'll take it one day at a time.'
Stage 6 Results - Top 10
1. Joel Pearson (Genesys Wealth Advisers) 2:19:15
2. Harrif Saleh (Malaysian National Team) s.t
3. Anthony Giacoppo (Plan B Racing) s.t
4. Scott Law (Virgin Blue-RBS Morgans) s.t
5. Nicholas Walker (Jayco/VIS/QAS) s.t
6. Sean Joyce (Blackpeloton) s.t
7. Thomas Palmer (Drapac) s.t
8. Rico Rogers (Swan Hill Rural City Council) s.t
9. Rene Kolbach (Bike Bug North Sydney) s.t
10. James Williamson (Hyster - Total Rush) s.t
Stage 7 Results - Top 10
1. Harrif Saleh (Malaysian National Team) 1:14:18
2. Rico Rogers (Swan Hill Rural City Council) s.t
3. Stuart Shaw (Drapac) s.t
4. Nicholas Walker (Jayco/VIS/QAS) s.t
5. Scott Law (Virgin Blue-RBS Morgans) s.t
6. Joel Pearson (Genesys Wealth Advisers) s.t
7. Dale Scarfe (McDonagh Blake-Witness) s.t
8. Zamri Saleh (Malaysian National Team) s.t
9. Pat Shaw (Virgin Blue-RBS Morgans) s.t
10. James Mowatt (Virgin Blue-RBS Morgans) s.t
General Classification - Top 10
1. Joel Pearson (Genesys Wealth Advisers) 11:50:03
2. James Williamson (Hyster - Total Rush) +0.04
3. Stuart Shaw (Drapac) +0.16
4. Tom Robinson (Genesys Wealth Advisers) +0.18
5. Harrif Saleh (Malaysian National Team) +0.19
6. Gordon McCauley (Hyster - Total Rush) s.t
7. Scott Law (Virgin Blue-RBS Morgans) +0.22
8. Rico Rogers (Swan Hill Rural City Council) +0.26
9. Nicholas Walker (Jayco/VIS/QAS) +0.32
10. Pat Shaw (Virgin Blue-RBS Morgans) +0.33
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