Howard takes control

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After working his way in to the sprint classification lead on the opening stage, Leigh Howard (Team Jayco AIS) continued his sprinting ways as he claimed victory on the Tour of Gippsland’s second stage.

Howard launched his sprint from a successful three man breakaway. David Kemp (Fly V Australia Pro Cycling) and Timothy Roe (Savings & Loans Cycling Team) took second and third respectively as the peloton trickled across the line behind.

After a brief stop for lunch, students from Traralgon South Primary School lined the streets to cheers the riders onto stage two and a quick two laps and sprint of the school in honour of the devastating fires that swept through the area earlier in the year. Jack Bobridge (Team Jayco AIS) led the sprint and the peloton onto the picturesque but treacherous road through Tarra Bulga National Park.

Riders cautiously negotiated the wet down hill roads, crossing four plank bridges, flanked by towering Australian Gums, synonymous with the Gippsland region.

Stage one winner Kane Walker maintained his position in the chase group, aiming to close the 1:20 minute gap to the breakaway.

With the peloton splintering early into the hill climb, Bobridge fell back into the chase group as Howard, Johnathan Lovelock (Jayco/VIS) and Adam Semple (Team Jayco AIS) lead a group of eight riders to the front. The lead group maintaining a two minute charge up to the final five kilometres where Lovelock broke away.

Queenslander Hayden Brooks (Fly V Australia) was awarded the King of the Mountain jersey, Howard the Triple Crown, Jerseys for Tour Leader, Sprint and Young Rising Stars. Team-mate Semple bagging the Most Aggressive Rider Jersey.