Rolfe rampages into overall lead

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Fly V Australia continues to dominate in the GMHBA Tour of Geelong with 28-year-old Queenslander Darren Rolfe securing a hard-earned stage win ahead of Malcolm Rudolph (Budget Forklifts) and young Tasmanian Ben Grenda (Praties).

Riders were challenged on the three circuits of 47.7km course, maintaining a 40km/h average over the first lap. A break containing nine riders formed 39km into the race and dropped to six, as the leaders established a 2:20 advantage at the 85km mark.

Unfortunately, a light shower passed over the peloton causing havoc; a large group went down on a descent and three riders - Fly V Australia's Scott Davis, ACT's Sam Genge (Susuki-Canberra) and Tasmania's Jeremy Hills (GMHBA) - were forced to take a trip to hospital. Jeremy Hills has a suspected broken collarbone.

Out of harm's way the leading sextet, consisting of New Caledonian Gael Bonnace, Rolfe, South Australian Andrew Roe (Savings & Loans), Queenslander Malcolm Rudolph (Budget Forklifts), Grenda and New Zealander Andy McNab (City of Greater Geelong), opened the gap of 4:15.

With a score of riders out of the race, the lead group continued to push the pace and maintained a comfortable lead over the final lap. Rolfe's attack late in the stage saw him finish 2:04 seconds ahead of the peloton and 50 seconds ahead of Rudolph.

"It was unbelievable, a highlight, we knew we had cards up our sleeves with four riders in the top 10, it's just unfortunate we lost one in the fall," said Rolfe.

Yesterday's winner Jonathon Cantwell (Fly V Australia) received the sprint leader's jersey, while Rolfe holds the tour leader and King of the Mountains jersey, with Tasmania’s Ben Grenda the most aggressive rider.

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