Tasmanian cyclist Nathan Earle said it was "fun" to make a late charge for glory at a major one-day race in Canada.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Hobart 31-year-old's return from a broken leg continued apace when he attacked in the 201.6-kilometre Grand Prix de Quebec.
The Israel Cycling Academy rider was ultimately caught and finished 93rd but said it was marvellous to be back among cycling's elite including his fellow Tasmanian and former Sky teammate Richie Porte.
"Fun to have a dip off the front a few times today at GP Quebec," Earle said on Facebook.
"So cool to rub shoulders (literally) with some of the best and coolest in the sport, Richie, G [Geraint Thomas], [Peter] Sagan, [Julian] Alaphilippe, [Michal] Kwiatkowski, [Greg] Van Avermaet, Dan Martin."
After crashing heavily in a one-day race in Spain in April, Earle returned to Tasmania to recover and has since completed a four-day stage race in Italy, the six-day Tour of Utah and one-day races in France and Belgium before heading across the Atlantic.
His next commitment is the Grand Prix de Montreal before returning to Europe where he is also listed to ride the one-day Grand Prix de Wallonie in Belgium.
Porte, who was a teammate of Earle's in 2014 and '15, was 84th in Quebec.
The Launceston 34-year-old, whose return to competition after finishing 11th in the Tour de France came in the Tour of Germany where he helped teammate Jasper Stuyven win, is also scheduled to represent Trek-Segafredo over 205.7km in Montreal.
Scott Bowden finished the six-stage Tour of China in 24th place.
Riding for Team BridgeLane, the Hobart 24-year-old achieved a best result of 22nd in the 132km final stage.
Bowden, who was a teammate of Porte's at the 2016 Olympics, is also listed to ride another Chinese stage race beginning on Monday.
His last commitment was a 12th place when up against regular training partner Earle at the Tour of Utah in August.
Bowden has also contested stage races in France, Hungary, Japan, Taiwan and New Zealand since coming sixth at nationals in January.
Subscriptions are available here.
Sign up to our Sport email here.
Know a junior sport star? Make a nomination for our 2019 Junior Sports Awards here.