Davison nabs a third stage at Tour of Gippsland

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Luke Davison (Budget Forklifts) made it three wins from four stages when he won the 54.5km Stage 4 at the Tour of Gippsland between Morwell and Yinnar.

"It’s not a bad tally so far," Davison said of his impressive performance so far. "Hopefully we can get another one or two.”

The sprint victory was not enough to unseat Anthony Giacoppo (Genesys) as overall leader with the West Australian rider taking third behind Brenton Jones (Team Torq / Bicycle Superstore). Giacoppo holds a 13 second lead over Davison, with a further 10 seconds back to Will Walker (Drapac) in his return to the Australian National Road Series following a heart condition.

Giacoppo is confident his team which dominated the Australian domestic calendar in 2011, can hold on to the lead for the rest of the week.

"We’re exactly where we wanted to be," he said. "For the rest of the week, we just need to keep riding how we are now."

A seven kilometre neutral zone kept the peloton in check but once the official start was called, it was full speed ahead to the first KOM of the day after just 14.1km. Climbing specialist Ben Hill (RBS Morgans-ATS Pro Cycling) took the five points on offer, with Jai Crawford (Genesys) and Walker next best.

With the peloton split by the climb, Joe Lewis (RBS Morgans-ATS Pro Cycling), Jonathan Lovelock (Genesys) and Cameron Bayly (Search2Retain) had clear air when it came to the intermediate sprint. The pressure was on for this short afternoon road stage, so their slight advantage was doomed with the second climb of the stage looming ahead. The comparative speed hump proved too tempting for Giacoppo with Genesys putting the hammer down to once again split the race.

The 3km, 6% third KOM was taken out by Pat Shaw (Genesys) moving to equal terms with Crawford and Hill in the classification. The Orange Army were doing their best to ensure Giacoppo would hold on to the overall lead with Crawford and Shaw doing their best to keep Budget out of the points in the second sprint.

Heading out of Thorpdale, the race was largely downhill with the peloton scattered from the constant battle for time bonuses. Nathan Elliott (Charter Mason / Drapac Development Team) and Cameron Peterson (RBS Morgans-ATS Pro Cycling) fired off the front of the bunch with 15km to go with the peloton numbering around 50 riders.

Budget took control of the chase and the two escapees were caught but this was not a stage that would be won easily. A group of seven riders attacked with seven kilometres left to race with RBS Morgans-ATS Pro Cycling, Search2Retain, Team Downunder, Drapac and GPM Wilson Racing all represented but their advantage was never more than 150m.

A bunch of 58 riders zeroed in on the line after the break was caught with 2km left to race. Davison once again proving he is in form.

Along with the overall lead, Giacoppo holds a one-point lead in the Scody Cup standings on 33 points.

The Tour of Gippsland continues on Friday with two stages again the order of the day. The morning Stage 5 criterium will be raced around the Sale CBD with 30 laps of 1.2km circuit. Stage 6 will be the longest of the tour so far at 101.9kms between Maffra and Dargo.

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