Aaron Gate makes it two straight for Rabodirect New Zealand

Image 1 of 14

New Zealand’s Aaron Gate continued the run of success by the RaboDirect team at the Tour of the Murray River, winning the afternoon’s 82km fourth stage, after Myron Simpson won the criterium stage earlier in the day.

The stage was turned into a real test because of strong side winds and the break of the day formed just ten kilometres from the finish. Gate was in the move, with teammate Wes Gough and the two worked together to ensure victory. Gough lead out the sprint into the final corner and then Gate charged to the line, beating Patrick Shaw (Genesys Wealth Advisers) and Adam Phelan (Drapac Professional Cycling). Gough finished fourth of the nine-rider move, with Andrew Martin (Plan B) winning the bunch sprint, just ten seconds later.
Thanks to his second place, Shaw took the overall race lead from Steele Von Hoff (Genesys Wealth Advisers).

"It's been a great day for the team," director sportif Gordon McCauley said. "The afternoon was brutal in the wind and we did well to get two up into the break that we knew would come and from there Wes was excellent and Gatey was much too good for them."

The 15-stage race continues with two more stages on Tuesday. A 71km morning road stage from Echuca to Kyabram, followed by a 30km criterium around Rochester. The race ends on September 4.