Tour of Tasmania Stages 1-2-3

The NRS' final stage reached it's half-time with three of six stages being raced: Mark O'Brien (Avanti) living up to his favorite-role so far, leading the GC ahead of Patrick Bevin (search2) and Rhys Gillett (African Wildlife). The latter about 10 seconds ahead of NRS-contender Timothy Roe (Budget), thanks to a late attack on second day.

A brutal timetrial up the famous Mt Wellington was always meant to be a key stage here. Mark O'Brien took a narrow win over Bevin, while other top-favorites like Matthew Clark or Timmy Roe lost about half a minute on O'Brien. A fascinating climb to watch, this stage - which used to be held as a TTT in the previous years - surely became a highlight on the entire calendar.

Two tricky hilly stages would then make for some more (partly unexpected) action! An early breakaway held off the bunch on second day, with veteran Rhys Pollock (Charter Mason) going for an emotional win plus climbing into the Top-10 in the GC as well. Some GC-favorites clearly won't like that effort, since also the late attacking African Wildlife's duo Rhys Gillett/Nathan Elliott gained valuable seconds on the struggling peloton.

And a breakaway would also take out the third stage, where a short but steep climb near the finish led to some gaps between the big guns. While local hero Oliver Martin (Pure Tasmania) took line honours out of the break of the day, an elite group with 8 riders - including O'Brien, Bevin, Roe, Gillett or Norris - finished half a minute ahead of the peloton, where riders like Jai Crawford (Drapac), Ben Dyball (Avanti) or Brendan Canty (search2) dropped out of the GC's Top-10.. with three stages to come, the GC rather close and again some tricky hilly stages to follow, anything can happen here. Breakaways have been quite dangerous so far.

Bevin climbing Mt Wellington to set a promising best time..

..but eventually beaten by O'Brien, who wins the opener by 7 seconds!

AWS's Gillett/Elliott with a double-attack 16km before finish on day two..

..but Pollock took line honours out of the break of the day!

A group with Roe, Gillett and Wes Sulzberger attacking late into stage three..

..where the early break again went strong towards the stage-win..

GC-leader O'Brien and Bevin jumping behind group Roe on this final climb..

..but Martin brought home a huge win for local team Pure Tasmania!

Local favorite - Wes Sulzberger - led the group of favorites cross the line..

O'Brien leading a still close GC with three stages to come!

Tour of Tasmania Stages 4-5-6

Mark O'Brien (Avanti) may be back in the fight for the NRS-podium: the premium climber defended his yellow shirt despite three more (semi) breakaway wins and held off Rhys Gillett (African Wildlife) and Patrick Bevin (search2) by half a minute to score some good points towards the rankings! Timothy Roe (Budget) has to settle for a rather quiet 4th place in the GC and missed out on additional points through stage-podiums. Lachlan Norris (Drapac) rounds up the Top-5.

The race once again proved to be a tricky one: tough, but not too selective hilly stages suited breakaway attempts. Alexander Smyth (Satalyst) lunged in for yet another stage-victory for an early escapee, as he took out stage four by a small margin on GC-leader O'Brien, who joined multiple attacks by some serious contendes like Roe, Gillett or Cupitt. This group would eventually gain 22 seconds on the peloton, where Pat Bevin lost his 2nd in GC to an aggressive Gillett.

Breakaways kept collecting stage-wins on fifth day: James Szollosi (Data#3) soloed away from the early break, which finished 57 seconds behind Szollosi, who jumped inside the GC's Top-10 that way. The peloton once again struggled, but at least the biggest favorites avoided any further drop in the GC.

Mitchell Flynn (Suzuki) then would go to win the final criterium through Devonport, almost caught by Giacoppo.. No further changes in the GC on that day and so O'Brien could celebrate a quite succesfull tour with the GC-win plus a few good stage-results. For NRS-contending Timmy Roe this might have been too less though: a solid 4th, but definitely missing out on a huge points haul here!

Roe attacking with 27km to go in an action-packed stage four!

O'Brien, Cupitt and Carpenter joining those dangerous attacks..

Drapac working hard to pull back group Roe/O'Brien and the early break..

Another attack of a 7-men-group with O'Brien would held off the bunch!

Early escaping Smyth lunged in for a narrow win over O'Brien then..

..while GC's 2nd Bevin finished 22 seconds later to drop one spot!

Another dangerous break on day five: Szollosi going solo late..

..to win the stage by quite a margin and climb in the GC as well!

A rather unusual breakaway festival is concluded by Fynn then..

O'Brien though delivered big time for a well deserved GC-victory in Tassie!

The Tour of Tasmania had two clear winners (O'Brien and Avanti): O'Brien scored 17 points to go past Edmondson in the individual rankings! He's on his way to finish on the NRS podium for the fourth time in a row, though yet lacking the individual's title. With still three one day races to come, it's of course a way to go.

Same goes for Timmy Roe, obviously: his 7 points in Tasmania might have been too less, but there's still a chance to go past Jones. Two of the remaining classics will suit him, while Jones may have a chance to seal the deal in the upcoming (flat but challenging) Melbourne to Warrnambool!

Avanti Racing always looked like they would take the team's competition and despite some good races from Budget in the past few weeks, the Tasmanian based squad now scored big time (20pts) on home soil. Budget (8) and Drapac (11) couldn't compete points-wise. Surely, those breakaway wins led to some less big scoring top-teams!

#INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS

Rk	Name	Team	Points
1	Brenton Jones	Avanti Racing Team	82
2	Timothy Roe	Budget Forklifts	70
3	Mark O'Brien	Avanti Racing Team	62
4	Alexander Edmondson	Euride Racing	58
5	Joe Cooper	Avanti Racing Team	51
6	Jonathan Cantwell	Drapac Cycling	49
7	Raphael Freienstein	Charter Mason	46
8	Jesse Kerrison	Budget Forklifts	42
9	Neil Van der Ploeg	Avanti Racing Team	40
10	Patrick Bevin	search2retain	39
11	Jack Haig	Avanti Racing Team	29
	Daniel Barry	Budget Forklifts	29
13	Travis Meyer	Drapac Cycling	26
14	Ben Grenda	Pure Tasmania	19
15	Michael Cupitt	Budget Forklifts	18

#TEAM'S RANKINGS

Rk	Team	Points
1	Avanti Racing Team	218
2	Budget Forklifts	163
3	Drapac Cycling	105
4	Charter Mason Giant Racing	89
5	search2retain	77
6	Euride Racing	66
7	African Wildlife Safaris	56
8	Satalyst Giant Racing Team	35
9	Data#3 Symantec RT	34
10	Jayco VIS - Apollo	33
11	GPM Data#3	30
12	SUVelo Racing	15
13	Pure Tasmania & Polygon Cycling	14
14	St George Skoda HP Team	12
15	Suzuki Bontrager	9
16	Veneziano Blefari	6
	Seight Test Team	6
	Cellarbrations Racing Team	6
19	Bianchi Lotto Arbitrage	5
20	Fiets Apparel Test Team	3
	Paradice Investment	3
22	Total Rush Hyster	2

Melbourne to Warrnambool

The Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic is an iconic Victorian sporting event being the second oldest one day cycling event in the world and the longest in the Southern hemisphere, having formerly being the longest single day race on the UCI calendar.

Being one of the most prestigious races in the NRS, this is definitely worth a visit! Be part of this tough 260km challenge.

And it's the length of this classics, which will make for a thrilling day: will a late attack survive, like Anderson and Donnelly did the past two years? Or will the sprinters (finally) over after missing out on the latest editions?

It's also a special race regarding the NRS title contention: Brenton Jones - leading the individual rankings by 12 points - has the chance to seal the deal here!

9-7-5-4-3-2-1 are the points rewarded for the Top-7.. with two (hilly) one day classics to come - so a maximum of 18pts rewarded there - Jones would be the new NRS champion, if he finishes at least as runner up here!






Aaron Donnelly (Huon) rode to the biggest win in his career last season, when he attacked the peloton 5km before finish to hold on to a 27"-gap til the finish. A huge win for him, since he already came close to a victory back in 2012, where he finished as a close 2nd behind Drapac's Floris Goesinnen!

[img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Jones_B_zps4bfcbeed.jpg[/img-l][img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/NRS_Platzhalter_zps31ed228a.png[/img-l]Brenton Jones (Avanti Racing)
The route seems to favor strong men rather than sprinters, but Jones should be in the mix anyway. It's his chance to gain crucial points towards his goal to win the NRS individual's rankings this year!

[img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/15NRS_Edmondson_zpsaf4c88fd.jpg[/img-l][img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/NRS_Platzhalter_zps31ed228a.png[/img-l]Alex Edmondson (Euride Racing)
Edmondson is too far behind Jones to attack the title, but it's still possible to make the NRS podium. The route looks hand-made for him, so given his great year, he's a real threat.

[img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/NRS_Horgan_zpsbcafc844.jpg[/img-l][img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/NRS_Platzhalter_zps31ed228a.png[/img-l]Samuel Horgan (Budget Forklifts)
Budget had some impressive results in those late season classics the past few years and Horgan is just one of several possible contenders for this prestigious victory. A beasty roleur he is.

[img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/NRS_Wohler_zps411eaea9.jpg[/img-l][img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/NRS_Platzhalter_zps31ed228a.png[/img-l]Alex Wohler (Budget Forklifts)
Just like his teammate Wohler, who has already won the now cancelled Shipwreck Coast Classic back in 2013. He proved to be a strong man and he will once again aim high here.

[img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/NRS_Donnelly_zps6dfc467e.jpg[/img-l][img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/NRS_Platzhalter_zps31ed228a.png[/img-l]Aaron Donnelly (Avanti Racing)
Donnelly has to be considered a top-favorite for obvious reasons. In the past ten years, no one was able to win this race twice. Donnelly with a chance to be the first for a long time?

[img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/NRS_Anderson_zps7a324a36.jpg[/img-l][img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/NRS_Platzhalter_zps31ed228a.png[/img-l]Jack Anderson (Drapac)
Of course, also 2013-winner Jack Anderson should be in the mix again. Now riding for Drapac, he may be the most promising option for the team, if their sprinter Cantwell struggles..

[img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/NRS_Jory_zps527b597d.jpg[/img-l][img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/NRS_Platzhalter_zps31ed228a.png[/img-l]Chris Jory (GPM Data#3)
Jory is one of those ever dangerous roleurs, who picked up a few notable results here and there - like his 7th place one year ago. Maybe one of the most dangerous rider not riding for the big teams.

TheManxMissile wrote:
Huge race for Jones and the race for the title. A win would secure the titile (?) or at least get him super close. Double-team with Donnelly?

tsmoha wrote:
Brenton Jones - leading the individual rankings by 12 points - has the chance to seal the deal here!

9-7-5-4-3-2-1 are the points rewarded for the Top-7.. with two (hilly) one day classics to come - so a maximum of 18pts rewarded there - Jones would be the new NRS champion, if he finishes at least as runner up here!

Melbourne to Warrnambool

Alexander Edmondson (Euride) sprinted to the biggest victory in his promising career and finishes off his stellar season with a bang. The up and coming sprinter will be a serious podium contender in the NRS now, while Brenton Jones (Avanti) narrowly missed out on valuable points, as he finished 8th in a fast finish.

An early 9-men-breakaway set the agenda for most of the 260km, with riders like Butler (Jayco), Canty (search2) and Cameron (Cellarbrations) as the most notable names. The group established a huge gap, but the peloton with teams like Drapac, Budget and Euride sharing the work very well, looked always in control with their chase.

All looked set for a thrilling finish, with the crosswinds going up to 31kmh just for the fast finish here! Former NRS-leader Joe Cooper (Avanti) tried to escape from the bunch 40km before finish: a move, that has already seen strong men winning this tough classic. The Kiwi though was brought back by Drapac/Budget about 14km before finish, just as the early breakaway.

Opposing to the past two editions, where late attackers went for line honours, especially Drapac and Budget did not allow any further attempts until the bunch sprint. Only the day's best were to be found at the very front, with Drapac's Bernie Sulzberger leading Cantwell into the final 2.5km! Kerrison (Budget), Jory (GPM), Jones (Avanti) and Edmondson (Euride) right behind them.

Glenn O'Shea would then pull his teammate Edmondson to the front, providing a nice leadout and a notable gap for Edmondson. A powerful sprint up the slightly ascending finishing stretch would seal the deal.. Cantwell and Van der Ploeg completed the podium ahead of a strong Kerrison, while NRS-leader Jones struggled on the final metres to finish behind Copp, Jory and Johnston.

The early breakaway with Brendan Canty (search2) as the most notable name..

Budget, Drapac and Euride leading the chase - looking in control..

Fighting for the NRS podium: Cooper trying to escape 42km before finish!

But the strongest teams pulled them all back with still 10km to go..

Sulzberger leading Cantwell, Kerrison and Jory towards the flamme rouge..

..with O'Shea/Edmondson accelerating with some great speed..

Edmondson with a small advantage over Van der Ploeg..

Jones (on the left side) losing some ground to finish just outside the points..

While Edmondson held off a strong finishing Cantwell by 4 seconds. Big win!

#FINAL RESULTS

1	Alexander Edmondson	Euride Racing	5h45'23
2	Jonathan Cantwell	Drapac Cycling	+ 4
3	Neil Van der Ploeg	Avanti Racing Team	s.t.
4	Jesse Kerrison	Budget Forklifts	s.t.
5	Jayden Copp	Team Scody Downunder	+ 9
6	Chris Jory	GPM Data#3	+ 11
7	Brendan Johnston	Suzuki Bontrager	s.t.
8	Brenton Jones	Avanti Racing Team	+ 13
9	Aaron Donnelly	Avanti Racing Team	s.t.
10	Alex Wohler	Budget Forklifts	s.t.

The most important first: Brenton Jones failed to score points in the Melbourne to Warrnambool classic, so Timmy Roe's hopes to claim the NRS crown are still alive! He will need to score big time in the final two events though.

Edmondson's victory made him go past O'Brien as provisional 3rd. It may become a thrilling fight for the podium spot(s)! Definitely still some points up for grabs, so stay tuned for the upcoming events.

#INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS

Rk	Name	Team	Points
1	Brenton Jones	Avanti Racing Team	82
2	Timothy Roe	Budget Forklifts	70
3	Alexander Edmondson	Euride Racing	67
4	Mark O'Brien	Avanti Racing Team	62
5	Jonathan Cantwell	Drapac Cycling	56
6	Joe Cooper	Avanti Racing Team	51
7	Raphael Freienstein	Charter Mason	46
	Jesse Kerrison	Budget Forklifts	46
9	Neil Van der Ploeg	Avanti Racing Team	45
10	Patrick Bevin	search2retain	39
11	Jack Haig	Avanti Racing Team	29
	Daniel Barry	Budget Forklifts	29
13	Travis Meyer	Drapac Cycling	26
14	Ben Grenda	Pure Tasmania	19
15	Michael Cupitt	Budget Forklifts	18

#TEAM'S RANKINGS

Rk	Team	Points
1	Avanti Racing Team	227
2	Budget Forklifts	170
3	Drapac Cycling	109
4	Charter Mason Giant Racing	89
5	search2retain	77
6	Euride Racing	71
7	African Wildlife Safaris	56
8	Satalyst Giant Racing Team	35
9	Data#3 Symantec RT	34
10	Jayco VIS - Apollo	33
11	GPM Data#3	32
12	SUVelo Racing	15
13	Pure Tasmania & Polygon Cycling	14
14	St George Skoda HP Team	12
15	Suzuki Bontrager	10
16	Seight Test Team	9
17	Veneziano Blefari	6
	Cellarbrations Racing Team	6
19	Bianchi Lotto Arbitrage	5
20	Fiets Apparel Test Team	3
	Paradice Investment	3
22	Total Rush Hyster	2