Snow cuts a classic

Bendigo Weekly | Bendigo Weekly | 04-Oct-2012

«
WIN: Darren Lapthorne.
»
It’s not often that a spring bike race in Australia gets shortened due to snow.
Fortunately for Bendigo cyclist Darren Lapthorne, it worked in his favour, as he was first to see the finish line of the Launceston to New Norfolk classic after only 65 kilometres instead of the usual 208km journey.
Due to snow on the top of the Poatina climb rendering it unsafe, the race started from Bothwell and made the journey to the finish, albeit 143km shorter than usual.
Lapthorne, a solid climber and the 2007 Australian Road Champion, said he was disappointed with the course change.
“I was disappointed because the longer the race, the better for me,” Lapthorne said.
“I thought it was going to be a day for the sprinters but there were still a few good climbs in there, so the terrain made the race hard enough.”
Despite missing the 10.32km climb of Poatina, at a harsh 7.5 per cent gradient, the course still featured a few short sharp hills, enough to put the acid on some of the sprinters.
A group of 15 riders, including Lapthorne, made their move at around the halfway point of the race gaining a big margin on the peleton.
“I attacked with about five kilometres to go with Nathan Earle,” Lapthorne said.
“With about three kilometres
to go, I went and had a good run to the finish.”
While not discounting his win, after the Launceston to New Norfolk he said it was good for his confidence to get this win, but the Tour of
Tasmania was the race to win this year.
His focus paid off with a strong start to the nine-stage tour, his Drapac Professional Cycling team finishing 5th in the opening team time trial, before Lapthorne claimed a solo win of the 123km second stage to Lake Pedder.
The 2012 Tour of Tasmania finishes with the ninth and final stage a 51.6km kermese in Devonport on Sunday.

Comment





Captcha Image