Walker's special ride in Ouyen

Nicholas Walker was rewarded for his persistence with victory in the 11th stage of the Elgas Tour of the Murray River on Friday.

The 21-year-old younger brother of Johnnie, 23, who is racing for Spanish-based Footon-Servetto at the 2010 Vuelta a Espana and William, 24, managing the Malaysian team at the Murray Tour, got the better of Malaysia National Team ace Harrif Saleh and New South Welshman Scott Law in the 86.5km stage from Ouyen to Patchewollock and back.

The stage win moved Walker into eighth place overall, only 36 seconds behind the race leader, Canberra veteran Stuart Shaw.

Saleh, who has won three stages, is now just 18 seconds behind 32-year-old former triathlete Shaw but copped a $50 fine from the race's chief commissaire, Peter Tomlinson, for dangerous riding.

Earlier in the day, young Canberra rider Thomas Palmer took out stage ten, a 36km Ouyen criterium.

Palmer (Drapac), who also won Thursday’s Euston criterium finished ahead of Law (Virgin Blue RBS Morgans), with Joel Pearson (Genesys) in third place.

Pearson and Shaw (Drapac) are engaged in a tremendous battle for overall victory, with the Canberra rider only six seconds ahead with three stages remaining.

Stage 10 results:
1. Thomas Palmer (Drapac Professional Cycling)      0:48:31, 2. Scott Law (Virgin Blue RBS Morgans) 0:00:01, 3. Joel Pearson (Genesys Wealth Advisers), 4. Alex Carver (Jayco Skins), 5. Rico Rogers (Swan Hill Rural City Council), 6. Nicholas Walker (Jayco/VIS/QAS), 7. Harrif Saleh (Malaysian National Team), 8. Patrick Shaw (Virgin Blue RBS Morgans), 9. Stuart Shaw (Drapac Professional Cycling), 10. Damien Howson (Team SASI Cycling)    

Stage 11 results:
1. Nicholas Walker (Jayco/VIS/QAS) 1:58:06,2. Harrif Saleh (Malaysian National Team), 3. Scott Law (Virgin Blue RBS Morgans), 4. Alex Carver (Jayco Skins), 5. Joel Pearson (Genesys Wealth Advisers), 6. Russell Gill (Swan Hill Rural City Council), 7. Steele Von Hoff (Genesys Wealth Advisers), 8. Stuart Shaw (Drapac Professional Cycling), 9. Patrick Shaw (Virgin Blue RBS Morgans), 10. Jason Allen (Hyster - Total Rush)            

Overall classification:
1. Stuart Shaw (Drapac Professional Cycling) 16:55:15, 2. Joel Pearson (Genesys Wealth Advisers) 0:00:06, 3. Gordon Mccauley (Hyster - Total Rush) 0:00:15, 4. Harrif Saleh (Malaysian National Team) 0:00:18, 5. James Williamson (Hyster - Total Rush) 0:00:21, 6. Scott Law (Virgin Blue RBS Morgans) 0:00:23, 7. Thomas Robinson (Genesys Wealth Advisers) 0:00:32, 8. Nicholas Walker (Jayco/VIS/QAS) 0:00:36, 9. Cameron Peterson (Virgin Blue RBS Morgans) 0:00:43, 10. Patrick Shaw (Virgin Blue RBS Morgans) 0:00:47