A coming together on the final corner may have cost Tasmanian Nathan Earle a stage win in the Tour de Taiwan.
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The 30-year-old from Hobart was leading on the 118.9-kilometre second stage from Taoyuan to Jiaobanshan Park before touching wheels with compatriot Jonathan Clarke (Floyd's Pro Cycling) in the uphill finish.
Earle's wheel came loose and although he stayed upright he dropped back to third, the same position he sits overall.
"The last corner was sharp and I took it first but a little fast," said the Israel Cycling Academy rider.
"I'm happy with third. It was a tough finish with three climbs but lots of uncategorised climbs in between and direction changes. The team is strong and we feel ready to fight for GC in the last three tough stages."
Earle was sitting six seconds behind Clarke leading into the 156.5km third stage from Hsinchu to Shigang.
His regular Hobart training partner Scott Bowden (Team BridgeLane) is 53rd.
Meanwhile Tasmanian Trek-Segafredo teammates Richie Porte and Will Clarke have been training together in Spain where Porte is scheduled to ride the Volta a Catalunya from Monday.
Clarke, who failed to finish Sunday's 217.6km Ronde van Drenthe in the Netherlands, has been named for two one-day races in Belgium - the 195.6km Danilith Nokere Koerse on Wednesday and 199.5km Bredene Koksijde Classic on Friday.
Porte has been scheduled to contest the Tour of California in May before returning to Europe to lead his team at the Tour de France.
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.
