Launceston’s Oliver Martin claimed his maiden National Road Series stage win at the Battle Recharge in Tyalgum, NSW.
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Riding for Brisbane Continental Cycling, Martin caught Conor Murtagh inside the final two kilometres of the 130km race to take the win by six seconds.
“Very surprised,” was Martin’s post-race reaction after leaping up to third overall (+44 seconds).
“I had the perfect run-in (to the finish) with the team, sat behind Bennelong to the last 20 kilometres and didn't have to touch the wind.
“I knew if I got Conor before the descent I would be able to stay away, and I just got him over the top. It was really perfect.
“It is my first win, I have had two sevenths this year, a few fifths last year, so to find the top step in a proper race, it is awesome.”
Oliver’s teammate and fellow Launcestonian Tom Robinson figured in a breakaway trio.
Hobart duo Ben Van Dam and Scott Bowden finished eighth and 10th respectively and both sit in the top 10 overall on +1:07.
Perth’s Georgia Baker (18th) was the best Tasmanian finisher in the women’s race and sits a second behind Devonport’s Anya Louw (15th) on general classification.
Rob Shaw
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
