Pearson claims Tour of Murray glory

AAPMon 06 Sep 2010, 3am

The final GC podium from the 2010 Elgas Tour of the Murray River, (l-r) Stuart Shaw, Joel Pearson and Gordon McCauley (Image: licoricegallery.com)

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Joel Pearson won the eight-day Tour of the Murray River, having been runner-up in last year's edition.

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Pearson, 27, won by 11 seconds from Canberra's Stuart Shaw, 32, with New Zealand veteran Gordon McCauley, 38, a further second back in third place.

Pearson, who gained and lost the tour's purple jersey three times throughout the 902 kilometre event, enjoyed his best result since winning the 262 km Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic last October.

Four months ago, he underwent a serious hip operation which threatened to derail his 2010 season.

"This is my biggest enjoyment because it was such a hard-fought, tough battle from start to finish," Pearson said.

Sunday's 14th and final stage, a 66 km criterium raced on Mildura's riverfront, was won by Malaysian Harrif Saleh who narrowly defeated young New South Welshmen Scott Law and Alex Carver.

Saleh won four tour stages and will be a lead rider for Malaysia in the road race at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games next month.

McCauley will also be in India for his fourth Commonwealth Games after he represents New Zealand in the time trial at the World road championships in Geelong on September 30.

Stage 14 results:
1. Harrif Saleh (Malaysian National Team) 01:28:22.00, 2. Scott Law (Virgin Blue RBS Morgans) 01:28:22.00, 3. Alex Carver (Jayco Skins) 01:28:22.00, 4. Anthony Giacoppo (Plan B Racing Team) 01:28:22.00, 5. Alexander Ray (Hyster - Total Rush) 01:28:22.00, 6. Rene Kolbach (Bike Bug North Sydney/Carrol) 01:28:22.00, 7. Rohan Dennis (Jayco Skins) 01:28:22.00, 8. Adam Phelan (McDonagh Blake - Witness) 01:28:22.00, 9. Stuart Shaw (Drapac Professional Cycling) 01:28:22.00 , 10. Joel Pearson (Genesys Wealth Advisers) 01:28:22.00

Overall classification:
1. Joel Pearson (Genesys Wealth Advisers) 20:29:48.00, 2. Stuart Shaw (Drapac Professional Cycling) 20:29:59.00, 3. Gordon McCauley (Hyster - Total Rush) 20:30:00.00, 4. Cameron Peterson (Virgin Blue RBS Morgans) 20:30:58.00, 5. David Pell (Drapac Professional Cycling) 20:31:14.00, 6. Scott Law (Virgin Blue RBS Morgans) 20:31:23.00, 7. Steele von Hoff (Genesys Wealth Advisers) 20:31:28.00, 8. Damien Howson (Team SASI Cycling) 20:31:31.00, 9. Ben Grenda (Genesys Wealth Advisers) 20:31:38.00, 10. James Williamson (Hyster - Total Rush) 20:31:46.00