Tattersall's Cup Tour of the Murray River - NE

Australia, August 31-September 4, 2005

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Stage 8 - September 3: Euston Criterium, 52 km

Safety first in Euston

By Rod Morris

Brad Norton
Photo ©: Shane Goss

Stage 8 in Euston was raced in terrible conditions and it soon became obvious that the GC leaders were simply going to go through the motions to ensure they reached Mildura safely on Sunday afternoon.

A small group of four riders, Bradley Norton, Peter McDonald (NSW), Peter Herzig (Qld) and Andrew Naylor (Vic) broke clear about six laps into the 40 lap race and they dominated the majority of the intermediate sprints.

On lap 28, that quartet were joined by Victorian trio Cameron Wise, Jason Hegert and Darren Lapthorne and it didn't take long before the margin to the peloton had grown to over a minute.

Even with just two laps remaining, the stretch between first and eighth was a comfortable 50 seconds, so the group out front could concentrate on jockeying for final positions.

In a rain-drenched sprint to the line, Norton took line honours ahead Wise and McDonald.

Leading the bunch home - some 28 seconds later - was tour leader, Simon Clarke, followed by Ben Kersten and Tommy Nankervis. Second rider in GC - Bernard Sulzberger - was 11th but lost further time to Clarke and now has just two stages left to reel in the 28-second deficit he faces.

The peloton
Photo ©: Shane Goss

Norton admitted the weather played a big part in his win.

"None of the lead group were dangers to the GC riders and no-one really wanted to take any risks in this weather and particularly when we are so close to the finish in Mildura," he said.

"I was part of the front group partly to make sure nothing drastic happened and we kept the yellow top for Simon (Clarke)."

Whilst Clarke is almost home and hosed for overall honours and Gordon McCauley has the King of the Mountain title wrapped up, two other categories will go right to the wire.

Robert McLachlan leads Tommy Nankervis by just two points in the Criterium Championship and McCauley and Stuart Shaw are locked on 39 points each in the Sprint Championship, with the New Zealand getting the nod on a countback courtesy of more sprint wins.

The green jerseys
Photo ©: Shane Goss

The final two stages today will include a 57.6 km kermesse at Cardross featuring 9 intermediate sprints and a closing 66 km criterium in Mildura where a further 14 intermediate sprints will be held.

The action in Cardross is due to start at 9 a.m. and in Mildura at 12.30 p.m.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

More rain dampened the Tour of the Murray River for stage eight in Euston
A little colour was added to a bleak day on the back roads of Euston
The peloton heads under trees during the 52km criterium in Euston
A wet day in the 2005 Tattersall’s Cup Cycling Series
Daniel Burtt from Victoria fresh from a fourth placing on stage seven
Cameron Bowden from South Australia in action on stage eight
Brad Glennan (57) from New South Wales has Trent Stevenson from Victoria for company on bend
Daniel Furmston from Tasmania in action during stage eight
The peloton rolls around on the wet roads of Euston
There was plenty of water around the 1.3km circuit in Euston
The field make its way on a 40 lap circuit of the streets of Euston
Andrew Graham from Victoria sets out after a lead group of riders
The field swings round the roads of Euston
The green jerseys of the Decked Out team from Bendigo lead the main field through
Brad Nortons from Victoria takes out stage eight
Brad Norton (centre) explains to VIS cycling coach Dave Sanders (R) how he took the stage

Results

1 Bradley Norton (Vic)                  1.14.53
2 Cameron Wise (Vic)                
3 Peter McDonald (NSW)                     0.03
4 Darren Lapthorne (Vic)            
5 Jason Hegert (Vic)
6 Andrew Naylor (Vic)
7 Peter Herzig (Qld)                       0.12
8 Simon Clarke (Vic)                       0.28
9 Ben Kersten (NSW)               
10 Tommy Nankervis (Vic)
 
General classification after stage 8
 
1 Simon Clarke (Vic)                   11.04.28
2 Bernard Sulzberger (Tas)                 0.28
3 Chris Jongewaard (SA)                    0.37
4 Mathew Rex (SA)                          0.38
5 Stephen Cunningham (SA)                  0.56
6 Troy Glennan (NSW)                       0.58
7 Luke Bettany (SA)                        1.01
8 Richard Moffatt (NSW)                    1.10
9 Stuart Shaw (ACT)                        1.17
10 Joe McDonnell (NSW)                     1.27