Tour of Tasmania Stage 2 Lets Go Motorhomes Mens League Recap
Two ascents of the infamous Gunns Plains climbs punctuated a very challenging opening road stage for the Tour of Tasmania. Rolling out in perfect conditions, there was no shortage of aggression to try and force a selection on the difficult terrain.
A start studded field lined up in Penguin, with two olympic gold medallists and the current Australian National Road Champion Patrick Eddy taking to the start.
After an agressive start, the bunch found their rhythm with CCACHE X BODYWRAP managing a gap to the days breakaway of Iven Bennet and Leighton Cook from Butterfields Ziptrak Racing and Falcons Pedal Mafia respectively.
The main field disintegrated up Gunns Plains and then re-formed each time over the top, with race leader Cam Ivory (Launceston Mountain Bike Club) succumbing to the relentless pressure and losing contact the second time up the climb. A strong group of approximately 30 riders formed on the rolling terrain over the top of the climb, set to duke it out on the run into the finish in Penguin.
The Brennan_ team were agressive throughout the finale and managed to launch Oliver Bleddyn solo with 11 kilometres to go. The olympic gold medalist put in a tremendous effort along the coastal roads to hold off the chasing peloton, coming into the finish solo ahead a reduced bunch sprint led by Oscar Gallagher (CCACHE X BODYWRAP) and Will Heffernan (Randwick Botany Cycling Club)
With the stage win and time bonuses on offer, Bleddyn steps into the race leaders jersey ahead of tomorrows decisive stage up Poatina.
Lets Go Motorhomes TOT Stage 1 Podium
1. Oliver Bleddyn (Team Brennan)
2. Oscar Gallagher (CCACHE x BODYWRAP)3
3. William Heffernan (Randwick Botany Cycling Club)
