Cooper takes solo victory in Metung

Queensland's Jack Anderson (Budget Forklifts) has retained his lead in the Lakes Oil Tour of Gippsland, the sixth event in the Subaru National Road Series, with one stage remaining.

Anderson finished inside the top ten on the penultimate stage from Lakes Entrance to Metung, protecting a narrow five second lead over Nathan Earle (Huon-Genesys) in the overall general classification.

"Today was the day I was really worried about," Anderson said. "[But I’m] over the moon. I get to come up on the podium but all of the Budget Forklifts’ guys were fantastic today as they were yesterday.

Anderson was awarded the tour lead after he clinched stage five’s road race from Sale to Licola.

"Yesterday was the best victory I’ve been a part of so far, and to be able to defend the yellow jersey today has been awesome."

Line honours went to reigning New Zealand time trial national champion - Joe Cooper (Huon Genesys) - who soloed to victory in the final kilometres of the 69km race.

The win was Cooper's maiden road race triumph, having taken out all individual time trials he has contested in the NRS this year.

Cooper claimed the stage ahead of Thomas Hamilton (VIS) with Alex Edmondson (Euride Racing) winning the bunch sprint for third.

"I’ve won a couple of time trials but this is more special," Cooper described. "There are a lot more tactics involved in winning a road race than riding against the clock."

Cooper was part of a chase group which caught a breakway bunch with only 20 kilometres remaining.

Hamilton attacked the leaders over the top of the final major climb into Metung, with Cooper and Henry Morley (Satalyst Giant) the only two in the select group who could follow.

However it was the time trial skills of Cooper which got the better of Hamilton while the gallant efforts of Morley came to no avail when the peloton swallowed him up inside the final kilometre.

"I didn’t expect to stay away," said Cooper. "My plan was to get over that last climb and if the bunch had caught us then to start working for Nathan [Earle] as hard as I could.

"But I had to start thinking about my plan B when we had almost a minute on the bunch with 15 kilometres to go.

"Tom [Hamilton] attacked at the beginning of the hill and I decided to keep him in sight and was able to ride across to him over the top.

"I had a few attempts to break away and on the last time he didn’t follow. I guess he was a little more tired than me, so I put my time trial skills into practice to the line."

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