Prolouge Win for Turbo Durbridge

WAIS-AIS cyclist Luke Durbridge overcame compatriot and Team Jayco-AIS teammate Michael Hepburn by a few tenths of a second to take the opening prologue stagae of the Royal Smilde Olympia’s Tour in the Netherlands.

Behind the Australian duo, third place went to local rider Sander Oostlander who was a further six seconds back from the leading pair.

Durbridge blasted around the 4.7km course in a race winning time of 5:53mins at an average speed of 47.9 km/h. The WAIS scholarship holder admitted he was surprised with the result.

“To be honest I thought Michael would be faster,” he said.

“But obviously I’m really happy with the result. The course was great with two wins so far here this year [referring to his track world title in Apeldoorn earlier in the year], I do like Holland,” said Durbridge.

The course was a challenging one, a myriad of technical corners through the Hoofddorp park and a steep but short section at ‘Spotter’s Hill’.

A number of riders came unstuck including local favourite Jenning Huizenga, but Durbridge proved to be completely in control and put in a classy ride to finish on top.

Jayco-AIS sports director Matthew White who rode the race back in 1994, said the result comes as reward for the determination of the riders and added, “The boys are fired up to win. It will be difficult because it will be a tough week but we’re off to a good start.”

– Cyclingnews.com