Watch the Mitchelton Tour of Gippsland on SBS On Demand, with daily highlights up from the men's and women's NRS, and Stage 3 streamed live on SBS On Demand and the SBS Cycling Central Facebook page from 11.40 AEDT on Tuesday.
It was a fast, technical finish to the race, with Scott rounding the final corner on the inside, using the momentum and shorter route to hold off Brenton Jones (Inform TMX Make) and Myles Stewart (Nero Continental) in the dash to the line as he continued ARA-Pro Racing Sunshine Coast’s winning form at the race.
“As a team we had a responsibility with the yellow jersey,” said Scott referring to race leader Kane Richards, “which meant we had to ride and we were on the front all day. My teammates did an unreal job keeping the breakaway. It came back and we just got ready for the leadout. We did everything right and it paid off in the end.”
Scott was one of the worst affected by a crash in the National Tour in the Tweed towards the end 2020, with the softly spoken sprinter completing a remarkably quick recovery from a broken pelvis and internal injuries. He spoke of his joy at getting back to the top step of a national level podium.
“It feels awesome, it’s taken a bit to get in form again,” said Scott. I took it easy from the start and looked to rebuild slowly again. I’ve done a few races over the summer and been close a few times, it’s really nice to get back on top.”
It was an early breakaway of good quality, with Melbourne to Warrnambool and Under 23 men’s road race winner Nicholas White (Team Bridgelane) in there along with Myles Stewart, Tali Lane Welsh (Giant Racing), Daniel Luke (Oliver’s Real Food Racing) and Joel Green (Cyclehouse) jumping away on the flat section out of the start/finish in Inverloch.
They stretched out their lead heading into the hills with the appropriately named Mount Misery an early obstacle for the riders. Green was dropped on the early slopes and returned to the peloton, with the leading five reduced to four.
There was an attack from the main bunch, with James Whelan (Team Bridgelane) trying to launch his way over to his teammate at the front of the race. He was marked by race leader Kane Richards (ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast), 2nd placed Liam Johnston (Inform TMX Make) with Cameron Scott (ARA Pro Racing Coast) there as well. With the move followed, Whelan didn’t continue the attack, and the pace slackened behind, with the four leaders pushing out their lead to three minutes with 57 kilometres left in the race.
The NRS Mens Tour of Gippsland Stage 2 Inverloch Road Race, Monday, February 14, 2022. Source: Con Chronis / Tour of Gippsland
The main group woke up under the impetus of ARA-Pro Racing Sunshine Coast and Inform TMX Make and began to steadily decrease the leaders’ advantage. With the gap down to just over a minute with 22kms to go, White launched a big attack on a climb, immediately gaining a big lead on his former breakaway companions.
White kept his lead for a good period, pushing a big gear as he fought to hold off the teams spoiling for a sprint. He was captured with just over ten kilometres remaining with the flat finish outside Inverloch Primary school set for a sprint.
ARA-Pro Racing Sunshine Coast battled Inform TMX Make through the technical finale to position their sprinter, Scott, first through the final corner, with the Wagga local finishing the job, holding off Jones and Stewart to win.
Watch the Mitchelton Tour of Gippsland on SBS On Demand, with daily highlights up from the men's and women's NRS, and Stage 3 streamed live on SBS On Demand and the SBS Cycling Central Facebook page from 11.40 AEDT on Tuesday.
