Lake claims victory at New Norfolk

Victoria's Sean Lake charged up Pioneer Avenue to claim victory
in Stage 1 of the Tour of Tasmania at New Norfolk today.

A BRILLIANT solo move by former rower Sean Lake saw him claim stage one of the Tour of Tasmania between Strathgordon and New Norfolk this afternoon, while Canberra’s Ben Hill retained the leader’s jersey after finishing fourth.

After enduring variable weather conditions on the scenic 119.9km ride , Victoria's Lake attacked inside the final 15km, holding off Anthony Giacoppo and teammate Michael Schweizer to secure victory by less than a second.

“I am absolutely stoked,” the 2014 Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic winner revealed following his win. “It has been a while between drinks, and I was very happy with the way it panned out. I was out there by myself for about 15 minutes or so until the line, and then just held off the chase – having no time gap at the finish was a bit too close for comfort.”

The starting line at Strathgordon.
Click image to enlarge.

A flurry of attacks was made immediately after the roll-out from Strathgordon, with the riders too focused on the task at hand to fully appreciate the spectacular scenery along the banks of Lake Pedder. A five-man breakaway quickly established a considerable time gap – stretching to over four minutes and 30 seconds at one point – before losing two riders and being absorbed back on the descent towards New Norfolk.

Lake soloed away just as the breakaway was caught, with the 23-year-old drawing on energy reserves to survive the climb towards the finish arch at Arthur Square in New Norfolk. “The last little

climb was pretty brutal,” he explained. “My legs were gone but I just managed to find something extra.”

Gordon River Rd outside Strathgordon.
Click image to enlarge.

The Jayco Tour of Tasmania - part of the Subaru National Road Series - continues tomorrow (Thursday) with a 106.2km road race departing from Ulverstone. Often the decisive stage in past Tours, an ascent up Gunns Plains will test the peloton before it reaches a picturesque seaside finish in Penguin.