The 2018 Spirit of Tasmania Cycling Tour finished today in Devonport with a fast, flat 54 kilometre criterium. 30 laps of a street circuit with two intermediate sprints (sans time bonuses) were on the agenda. Little wind and searing sunshine meant the weather was going to play no role the day’s proceedings.

On such a fast circuit, it was always going to be difficult to establish a significant breakaway with the right combination of riders. After a quiet start to the race, Carter Turnbull found himself off the front in a breakaway that consisted of three other riders including Ben Andrews (OLI). A mix of riders that Bennelong SwissWellness seemed happy to see go up the road. Turnbull started the day just 38 seconds from the white jersey leader, Sebastian Presley (OLI), so Andrews acted as an anchor to the early escapees, ultimately causing a premature end to the early move.

Both Andrews presence in the breakaway, and attacks from the peloton meant the race was back together at the halfway point and the cards were re-shuffled.

“It was worth a go, it was a good hit out. When the break came back it was all about helping Dave Williams for the intermediate and Raph for the final sprint,” Turnbull said.

InForm MAKE acted as the glue in the peloton for the next four laps to keep the race together for the second intermediate sprint of the day. Tom Benton and Raphael Freienstein provided the lead out for David Williams who took maximum points at the line, and moved into the outright lead of the green jersey competition.

Riders continued to attack after the second intermediate sprint in an effort to avoid a bunch sprint. However, the nature of the circuit proved too tricky to establish a serious move and the peloton were headed to a sprint showdown on the Devonport waterfront.

mobius BridgeLane and InForm MAKE were the two teams that provided the horsepower at the front of the peloton for the final two laps. As the riders came into sight of the finish line it was prologue winner Cameron Ivory and Raphael Freienstein who were in a drag race for the finish, with Ivory just having the better of the overall NRS winner by a wheel. Jay Vine (AMR) rolled in for third.

Yellow jersey Dylan Sunderland (BSC) finished safely in the bunch to be crowned the overall winner of this year’s Spirit of Tasmania Cycling Tour. Raphael Frieienstien finished fourth overall and in doing so, wrapped up the overall individual NRS victory. He also picked up the KOM and sprint jersey as added bonuses. 18 year old David Williams finished second in the standings for the green jersey.

“We couldn’t ask for more really, a stage win, KOM jersey, points jersey and to win the NRS overall is amazing,” Freienstein said.

The stage three winner also had big praise for his young teammates and their performances this week.

“They really stepped up, I’m impressed with how they all rode. We had three juniors in the team who have just finished school, they were in all the key breaks and for sure they all have a bright future.”

Team Manager Pat Lane was over the moon with his whole team’s performance in Tasmania.

“I’m very proud of the guys. We came here with two objectives; to win individual NRS overall and to hold second place in the team classification and we achieved both of those and more.”

InForm MAKE’s next race is the Tour of Bright. The focus then turns to the 2019 National Road Championships in Buninyong.

2018 Spirit of Tasmania Cycling Tour Stage 4 Results

Stage Results

1st – Cameron Ivory (GPM) 1h06:19

2nd - Raphael Freienstein (InForm MAKE) +0

3rd – Jay Vine (AMR) +0

Final General Classification

1st - Dylan Sunderland (BSC) 7h38:01

2nd - Michael Vink (BCT) +11

3rd - Cameron Roberts (GPM) +19

4th – Raphael Freienstein (InForm MAKE) +21