Sunderland Secures Second Stage Win in National Road Series

Team Budget Forklifts rider Scott Sunderland continued his outstanding form in the Lakes Oil-Fulton Hogan Tour of the Great South Coast, part of the Subaru National Road Series, with a second straight stage victory today.

Sunderland – a long term WAIS scholarship holder – won the 137km race from Mount Gambier to Port MacDonnell beating home Avanti Racing team’s Patrick Bevin, with Charter Mason Giant Racing Team’s Daniel Fitter third.

Sunderland, 27, made it back to back stage wins after also taking out yesterday afternoon’s 65km Blue Lake circuit stage in Mount Gambier.

“I am very happy to win two stages of the Great South Coast Tour because it’s good for our Budget Forklifts sponsor and my team-mates,” Sunderland said.

“Unfortunately, I had a pretty ordinary first stage in the Mount Gambier criterium yesterday morning when I was troubled by asthma. I don’t think I can win the tour but I will be chasing more stage wins.”

Sunderland was in 42nd place after the opening three stages, 25 seconds in arrears of the African Wildlife Safari’s rider Michael Schweizer who clung to a one second advantage over Bevin, with Raphael Freienstein in third place at eight seconds.

The third stage, backed by the District Council of Grant, was highlighted by a five-man break-away of young riders Jackson Carman, Samuel Volkers, Sam Fuhrmeister, Ryan Christensen and Ben Comfort. The quintet held a 3-minute 30 second advantage half way through the stage, but the African Wildlife Safaris squad were determined to keep the leaders jersey for another day.

The breakaway was reeled in with 20kms remaining, but Christensen earned the MGA Insurance Brokers Most Aggressive Rider Award and also leads the CFMEU Rising Star Category.

The tour moves to Victoria tomorrow for two stages. Stage 4 will feature a 40km criterium on Portland’s waterfront in the Glenelg Shire, starting at 10.30am, followed by a 93km afternoon road race from Heywood to Casterton.

-CyclingAus