Bro show: Pearson brothers go one-two

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Victorian born brothers Joel and Mitchell Pearson became only the second set of siblings in Scody Cup history to run a quinella. Joel triumphing in West Mooreville on Tuesday afternoon.

The Pearsons finished one-two in today’s fourth stage, a wet and tough 75.4km climb from Burnie’s West Park to the inland region of West Mooreville. The stage finished at the testing yard of the tour’s major sponsor, Caterpillar Underground Mining.

The only other recorded circumstances of brothers filling the top-two placings Scody Cup stage occurred in the 2007 Tour of Tasmania, when West Australians Cameron and Travis Meyer dominated the Devonport to Sheffield stage.

Pearson’s victory also kept him touch with the leader of the Scody Cup, Jonothan Cantwell. He started the week in third place, 51 points behind Richard Lang (NSW), and is now just 43 points behind new leader Jonathon Cantwell (Qld).

The fourth stage gave riders a taste of all aspects of Tasmania's weather.

There was a glimpse of sun at the start line, but that was quickly replaced by drizzle as the riders headed inland. That rain became heavier as the peloton began the first of five hill climbs.

With the five climbs and five intermediate sprints all offering time bonuses, the pace was once again high. The profile of the course also ensured that a selection took place. As a bunch of approximately 40 riders approached the finish it was the Pearson brothers who were in the perfect position to grab stage honours.

Flashing home for third was former world junior track champion Zakkari Dempster. While none of the main contenders for the general classification featured in the stage podium, they were tucked safely inside the main bunch and held their positions overall.