Lewis wins in George Town

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A run of near misses came to an end for plucky New South Welshman Joseph Lewis in stage eight of the Caterpillar Underground Mining Tour of Tasmania on Saturday.

Prior to today's victory, Lewis' best result had been a second placing in the 2008 Australian Grand Prix time trial behind South Australian Chris Jongewaard. But on the 80 kilometre stage to Launceston to George Town, he proved he can compete with the very best.

Originally from Gloucester in New South Wales, but now based in Canberra, Lewis was part of a seven man breakaway group that would fill the major podium positions for the day.

"I am stoked to have won," said an ecstatic Lewis said post race. "I have never won a stage of the Scody Cup before and I am really happy."

"The Tour of Tasmania, like all events in the Scody Cup series is well organized and riders love supporting them. It's even better when you win one," he continued.

Lewis out-sprinted 19-year-old Peter Braunsteins and Charles Howlett, in the action packed dash to the line.

Lewis, Braunsteins and Howlett imposed no real threat to the tour leaders and, in particular, Bernard Sulzberger, who has held the prized Number 1 jersey all week.

Sulzberger, racing in his "back yard" featured in a couple of the early intermediate sprints and in fact extended his overall lead from 32 seconds to 0:38, over his Fly V Australia teammate Ben Day. Current Australian road champion Peter McDonald lost eight seconds to Sulzberger and is now 40 seconds in arrears and appears unlikely to reel him in.

The bad luck that flattened Englishman Kristian House in Thursday's Burnie to West Mooreville stage continued in today's morning stage when he suffered another front wheel puncture and lost more time and distance.