Scott lays down the Law

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A determined New Zealander James Williamson clung to a slender lead at the Tour of the Murray River today after surviving intense pressure in a fiercely-contested criterium. Williamson holds an eight second advantage over Joel Pearson, with fellow New Zealander Gordon McCauley a further six seconds away in third place.

Going into this afternoon’s 39km Lake Boga criterium, Williamson’s margin was down to 15secs and he struggled into 15th place behind the speedy New South Welshman Scott Law (Virgin Blue RBS Morgans), who won the stage from New Zealander Rico Rogers (Swan Hill Rural City Council) and Victorian Nicholas Walker (Jayco/VIS).

“I’m stoked to be still in front because it was a really hard day,” Williamson said. “The opposition threw everything at our team but we finished up at the end of the day with four category jerseys – a real triumph.

“Each stage is tough because there are so many intermediate sprints and hill climbs in the Murray Tour and there’s no way you can go out there and think about relaxing,” he added. “Every stage is a fight. I don’t think they’ll be letting me break away again like I did on Monday.”

Williamson is also leading the Fonterra Under 21 category while team-mate McCauley, the five-times New Zealand road champion, is leading the sprint championship and the most aggressive rider award.

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