McDonald surprises favourites

Sydney cyclist Peter McDonald, (Drapac Porsche) stole the march on hismore faniced rivals in a three up sprint to claim the gold medal in theelite men's road race on the final day of the Scody Australian OpenRoad Championships at Buniyong, near Ballarat, Victoria.

McDonaldoutfoxed three time time trial World Champion and newly crownedAustralian time trial champion, Michael Rogers, and his Team Columbiateam mate, Adam Hansen in a spurt of speed down the final straight intothe finish.

The 30-year-old bike mechanic crossed the line in 4hr10min34sec to claim the biggest win of his career so far.

“Ithasn’t sunk in yet, this is huge," said McDonald who last month claimedthe silver medal in the Australian Criterium Championship and wasthrilled to claim the victory. "It doesn’t beat anything and is thebiggest win so far by a mile.

“They had two riders against mewhich makes it really hard," said McDonald. "I was happy when it wasjust Dodger (Rogers) and myself, but when Adam came across I thought noway, two Team Columbia riders, I had no chance.

“So to beattwo guys that race full time for one of the world’s biggest teams, Ireally didn’t know what to think, I couldn’t believe that I won afinish like that against two Pro Tour riders,”

Whilst neitherRogers, who claimed silver, nor Hansen in third place are renowned fortheir sprinting they admitted they got it wrong in the final kilometresallowing McDonald to use his sprinting speed to full advantage andclaim the win.

“Today I tried everything I could andunfortunately it didn’t come off at the end," said Rogers. "That’s justthe way cycling is and unfortunately that’s the way it happens, just acommunication error between us, so if it happens once in a hundredsraces, that’s not too bad.

“Two sets of legs are better thanone and Adam rode really well to get across to us, but unfortunatelyfor Team Columbia it didn’t go the way we wanted it but there areplenty of other races in the year."

But Rogers, who onWednesday signalled a return to form with victory in the time trial, isstill pleased with his racing this week.

“I am super happywith the few days I have had here, and I think it’s a sign of the startof a good season and when you have that, you usually have a goodseason.”

Hansen, the silver medallist in last year's road race, admits it was an opportunity missed.

“Iwas feeling great, much better than last year and I just used everyonein front of me until I had used all their energy and moved across tothe next guy," said Hansen. “When I moved up to Mick I thought yes wehave got this, but in the end, I just got to nervous and didn’t havethe ideal finish."

However, Hansen was happy to improve on adisappointing showing in Thursday’s time trial, where as defendingchampion, he finished 11th.

“The result is disappointing forme but, with two laps to go I was way back and made really good moves,so with that sense I am happy with my ride, and it’s a good turnaroundfrom my time trial," said Hansen. “Silver and gold last year and bronzethis year, it’s not too bad.”

Early in the 16 lap event agroup of six riders including reiging Australian Criterium Champion,Bernie Sulzberger, and fancied climber Trent Lowe established a lead ofaround five minutes but the main contenders were just biding their timeand after 11 laps the face of the race changed completely with anattack group including Rogers and McDonald forging ahead.

Hansen chased to join the leaders and just before the finish of thepenultimate lap Rogers made his move. Rogers was solo across the lineon the bell lap with a ten second lead but soon after McDonald bridgedthe gap and then Hansen rode up to join them and set up the three manbattle.