Tour of the Goldfields - NE

Ballarat, Australia, July 19, 2000

Egan claims first round of Tattersalls cup

Leigh Egan from Shepparton won his second successive Tour of the Goldfields, the first round of the Tattersalls Cup. He beat Melbourne's Paul Redenbach and NSW's David McPartland in the rush to the line that was marked by a large crash. The crash took out favourites such as Rik McCaig and Matthew Rice, and was reportedly caused, albeit unintentionally by Robert Tighello. Tighello was second over the line, but was later disqualified by the judges, although he said he would appeal.

The 127 km race was held in freezing conditions and rain on a circuit starting and finishing in Ballarat. Only 35 of the 72 starters finished the race as a result. A split early on in the race saw most of the favourites make the front group before a final 15 man bunch formed between Clunes and Creswick.

Egan attacked close to the end to take the race, but the sprint to the line saw three riders (McCaig, Rice, and Hilton Clarke) fall although none were seriously injured.

The next race in the Tattersalls cup is next Wednesday July 26, the Tour of the Strathbogie Ranges.

Results - 127.6 km

1. Leigh Egan (Shepparton)      3.30.35 (36.35 km/h)
2. Paul Redenbach (Melbourne)
3. David McPartland (NSW)
4. Robert Boag (Footscray)
5. T. Lawrence (WA)
6. M Jackson (Footscray)
7. H Pollock (NSW)
8. Ben Day (Qld)
9. Chris White (Bendigo)
10. Hilton Clarke Jr (Carnegie)
11. Rik McCaig (Bendigo)
12. Matthew Rice (Tasmania)
13. Brendan Gilhome (Carnegie)    4.45
14. Jeremy Maartens (Footscray)
15. Seth Romanis (St. Kilda)

Sprints:

1. James Taylor (Carnegie)       15 pts
2. Hilton Clarke (Carnegie)       6
3. Robert Tighello (Carnegie)     4
4. Ben Jackson (Leongatha)        4

KOM:

1. Steve Williams (Caravello)     9 pts
2. Hilton Clarke (Carnegie)       8
3. James Taylor (Carnegie)        6

Thanks to Caribou publications for the results