Cycling: Laurence Pithie won the eighth running of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. The young New Zealander was successful in the sprint in a group of around 20 people. Last year's winner Marius Mayrhofer did not start this time because his team Tudor did not receive an invitation.
Laurence Pithie shows all his talent
Laurence Pithie (Groupama – FDJ) has achieved the greatest success in his young career. The New Zealander, who is only 21 years old, was able to finish ahead of the Eritrean in the finish sprint in a group that was still around 20 strong Natnael Tesfatsion (Lidl – Trek) and the German George Zimmerman (Intermarché – Wanty). It was only within the last kilometer that the American champion made a late attack Quinn Simmons (Trek – Segafredo) neutralized. In the final lap, the Israel – Premier Tech team increased the pace enormously on the Challambra Crescent climb in order to distance one or two sprinters. Only around 20 riders remained in the first group and were allowed to sprint for victory. Corbin Strong (Israel – Premier Tech) ultimately has to settle for fourth place.
Four Australians in the breakaway group
In the one-day race over 174,3 kilometers with start and finish in Geelong, an Australian quartet first presented themselves to the spectators. With Jackson Medway (BridgeLane), Zac Marriage (BridgeLane), Joshua Cranage (ARA | Skip Capital) and Dylan Proctor Parker (ARA | Skip Capital), four local riders from two Continental teams formed the first and only breakaway group of the day. But before the penultimate crossing of the Challambra Crescent climb, the group was left behind by the peloton. However, the peloton was already decimated at this point. Although the hill is only 1,2 kilometers long, it is quite serious with an average gradient of 8,1 percent. There were repeated attacks over the last 30 kilometers.
Laurence Pithie wins Cadel Evans Road Race! #CadelRoadRace pic.twitter.com/5MKoC6lRhN
— Eemeli (@LosBrolin) January 28, 2024