In perfect weather conditions, 40km South East of Canberra, Genesys Wealth Cycling Team took their Oppy C7’s to the Tour of Canberra over the weekend. Once again producing excellent results, Will Clarke took another podium finish winning stage 3 and placing 2nd overall.
As soon as the flag was dropped, attacks started left, right and centre. Drama interrupted the race in stage 1, when the race was stopped 6km from the start due to the peloton not obeying the road rules. Genesys controlled the peloton, with 8km to go the 7 Genesys riders moved the peloton to catch the break. Will Clarke came through in 2nd position in stage 1 with 2 more stages to go.
Stage 2 was held in Stromlo Forrest, 20km South of Canberra. Another day of beautiful sunny conditions greeted the cyclists as they set out on a 109km circuit. From the very beginning, there were plenty of attacks and a solid group of approximately 12 riders broke free, including 3 Genesys riders. Not long after the initial break, the race was back together and another attack was launched by Nathan Earle. Once again some cyclists broke the road rules and the race was stopped for the second time during the Tour. With 25km to go, the break had nearly been drawn back in so Clarke launched an attack. In the final 10km, the race was in chaos, attacks were taking place all over the road. Clarke only just missed a podium finish by a mere 5 seconds placing 4th for the 2nd stage.
Stage 3 was another chaotic race with many frequent attacks. On the climb up Corin Dam, the peloton shattered due to Team Genesys setting a relentless tempo. On the next climb, Mt McDonald, Ben Grieve-Johnson attacked and not long after a crash within the peloton cost one rider his top five position.
The final climb, at Uriarra, saw Will Clarke over the mountain first to draw away and pick up some much needed bonus seconds to stay on the podium. Meanwhile, Nathan Earle scored second place sealing him the king of the mountains jersey. Clarke showed his sprinting prowess overpowering the other riders to come 1st in stage 3.
Clarke and Grieve-Johnson are now taking their Oppy C7’s to Belgium for 6 weeks to test themselves and the bikes in some of the most competitive racing districts in the world. Clarke is quietly confident in his form in the lead up to some of the most testing rides he is yet to face, "My form is reasonably good. I'm climbing well and I'm feeling good. I should be right and hopefully things go well," he added.
