Pacific Power-Commonwealth Bank Cycling Classic
Stage 4
Today's 4th stage came up the coast via the Pacific Highway into the port town
of Newcastle. It was very wet (torrential) early on and then the race was
buffetted by very strong westerly winds. The finish came around the point and
along the Hunter River into Wharf Road, right into a gale.
It was a bunch sprint, but Jason Pearce (NSW Sport and Rec) maintained a 1 min
and 20 sec break for the greater part of the stage. He was aided later in the
break by Dutchman, John Den Braber, but the pair of them were hauled in with
only 4 kms to go.
Reid embarrassed himself after the big V by losing control of his cycle and
crashing heavily. He was okay but his bike was very damaged. Not to mention his
ego. Hunt though was very strong.
Stage 4 Results - The Entrance-Newcastle 66.30 kms
1. Richard Reid (NZ - Sanitarium) 1:37:25
2. Jeremy Hunt (UK - Ampol-Caltex)
3. Chris Lillywhite (UK - Ampol-Caltex)
4. Max Van Heeswijk (NL-Motorola)
5. G. Mitchell (NZ-Sanitarium)
6. John Tanner (UK-Ampol)
7. Stuart Williams (Aus-NSW Sport and Rec)
8. Damien McDonald (Aus-AIS-Giant)
9. P. Hokkanen (Sweden-Sportscover)
10. R. Reinerink (World Pacific Power Team) all s.t.
Hunt retained the yellow GC jersey.