A second hilly stages concludes the Mersey Valley Tour and even though it ain't looking as tough as yesterday's stage, there's still plenty of ascending kilometres.
Nathan Earle (Huon-Genesys) took the GC-lead on Cradle Mountain, leading 33" on O'Brien, 37" on teammate Haig and 40" on Semple. A close one.
The Oz Cycling Development Team kicked this final stage off, as Kiwi Cameron Karwowski had a first try to break clear, accompanied by Data#3's Stuart Cowin.
And empty-handed attempt though, as several more attacks led to bunch being alltogether a few minutes later.
Josh Taylor (GPM) was next in the line. He attacked on today's toughest climb at Kimberley, just as he entered the first of three laps in this circuit.
More riders followed, including at least two prominent names:
Timothy Roe (Euride, GC + 10.40 as 88th)
Rhys Pollock (Drapac, GC + 8.08 as 41st)
Ethan Kimmince (Oz Cycling)
James Rendall (African Wildlife)
Vaughan Bowman (Target)
Edward Bissaker (Bianchi)
Pollock as the best-placed in GC here, so no real threat for race-leader Earle.
After two laps (43km to go), the breakaway group went to pieces, as again Taylor tried to go on his own!
Rendall and Pollock were the only riders, who managed to follow his move.
Meanwhile, Huon-Genesys led the bunch. For a few moments it seemed they lost control, as the gap grew to almost 9 minutes..
..but with 10km remaining, the gap was cut down to 4'40" again. The new leading group of Taylor/Pollock/Rendall would battle for today's win without being dangerous in GC.
And Taylor with yet another attack! He moved ahead of the breakaway with 5km remaining, would he stand a chance?
Even more interesting news back in the bunch: GC's 4th (+ 0.40) Adam Semple did the same as Taylor, as he soloed away from the other favorites with the 5km-banner approaching!
A serious attempt it seems, as he quickly established a 30"-gap!
And that's the chasing group:
Nathan Earle (in yellow)
Mark O'Brien (GC + 0.33)
Bernd Sulzberger (GC + 1.18)
Neil Van der Ploeg (GC + 1.06)
So GC's 3rd Jack Haig (+ 0.37) missed this move by the top-favorites, which means he also won't help Earle to pull Semple back.
Credit where credit is due: GPM's Josh Taylor celebrates a well deserved stage-win after spending the final 5km solo.
He finishes 33" ahead of James Rendall and Rhys Pollock, plus claiming the KoM-jersey thanks to collecting 60 points today.
Nathan Earle desperately tries to narrow the gap to Semple, who still maintains his lead over this chasing group!
With just 2km remaining, group Earle is 1'04" behind Semple, which means, he would claim the overall win!
What a ride by Adam Semple! He just did the same as Taylor, holding on to his lead over the last 5km.
Most important: he gained 59" on the chasing group Earle/O'Brien! So Semple takes out the Mersey Valley Tour 2013, beating by 19"!
Mark O'Brien completes the podium, while Jack Haig lost finishes 4th overall, ahead of Neil Van der PLoeg, who rode a strong tour.
Next stop in the NRS will be the National Herald Sun Tour, a less hilly tour, but with a crucial stage featuring the Arthur's Seat two times. Stay tuned for a rankings update and Jack Haig's blog, of course.
