Louis Crosby gave Roman van Uden the perfect lead out at the end of Stage 13, helping him to cross the line in first place; his first win of the year.
“Louie and I knew we needed to put something together towards the end of the race in order to get out front,” said Roman, “I was on his wheel for the final 5kms, not knowing when the final corner was going to come.
“He lead me out perfectly and I sprinted from the corner and got a gap between me and the finish line. We knew we had to be first out of that corner”
It looked like it was going to be a race dominated by SASI, when four of their riders made a breakaway in the 47.1km road race. The break stayed out front for 27kms. Just before 10km to go the four riders were pulled in by the peloton.
Team Budget Forklift were fighting hard all day to ensure the Yellow Jersey stayed with Luke Davison, with Genesys Wealth Advisors Professional Cycling looking to wrestle it back into the hands of Campbell Flakmore.
“There was a block head wind along a dead straight road and we just let all the other teams keep the peloton together to protect the G.C.,” said Roman.
Roman has been searching for a stage win all year, and after seven months of racing and 90 days on the road, Roman finally crossed the line first.
“It feels so good to win in Australia.”
Director Sportif, John “Harry” Harris, is very pleased with Roman’s win, knowing that this is something the young captain has been eyeing up all year.
“He just had to win in a race like this,” said Harry, “He has been so focused on being the captain and I’ve been telling him that it is possible to be a captain and win, I am rapt.
“Louie did an excellent job leading him out and it came down to a complete team effort with Taylor [Gunman] and [James] McCoy riding excellently as well.”
PureBlack Racing received plaudits from the other teams who have watched them fight over the past week for the elusive stage win.
“After we won, we had a lot of support from all the other teams, everyone was so happy to see PureBlack Racing finally get a win,” said Harry.
Caleb Jones (GPM Wilson Racing) was hot on Roman’s wheel in second, with Luke Davison keeping the yellow jersey leading in the bunch to finish third.
Earlier in the day the team raced in a 45km criterium around Balranald, Luke Davison finished first, followed by Joel Pearson (Genesys) and Glenn O’Shea (SASI).
Tomorrow in the final stage of the Tour of Murray River, the teams will be racing in a 60km criterium around Swan Hill.
NB: Roman and Louie have been nicknamed the twin towers in reference to their 6”5 stature