A dominant sprint performance from Brad Evans (Pat’s Veg Cycling) has seen the New Zealander capture the Jayco Tour of Tasmania yellow jersey, outsprinting Joe Cooper (Avanti Racing) to win The Advocate Stage Two in perfect conditions in Penguin on Thursday.

Despite being caught by then yellow jersey holder Ben Hill (CharterMason Giant Racing Team) inside the final few kilometres, Evans was too powerful for his Canberran counterpart in the final straight. A three second general classification lead over Hill will add extra excitement ahead of Friday’s road race.

“It was a great stage,” exclaimed Evans after his win. “We had Robbie Hucker and I up there in a front group of 15 guys. Two kilometres out the yellow jersey holder Hill and his teammates got back on, but I was sure that they had done plenty of work to get there so I was backing myself for the sprint.”

At the beginning of the day, German import Michael Schweizer (African Wildlife Safaris Cycling Team) joined an early breakaway and soon established a considerable lone lead, perhaps inspired by teammate Sean Lake’s solo winning effort on Wednesday.

However after Schweizer clinched both intermediate sprints, he was brought back by the group.  An immediate counter attack resulted in a small group enjoying a short breakaway before they were once again absorbed by the peloton.

Just as the riders regrouped at the challenging Gunns Plains climb, Jayco/John West/VIS youngster Lucas Hamilton attacked with Mark O’Brien (Avanti Racing). The duo was then caught by Evans’ chase group, which was in turn caught by Hill and teammates with the township of Penguin in sight.

Confident of his form after finishing second in the Hobart prologue, former track racer Evans put his sprinting abilities to good use to take line honours ahead of Cooper and Hucker on the seaside main street.

“I managed to hook up with Robbie on the final straight and he gave me a great lead-out,” Evans continued. “I took it on the inside and sailed away – it’s great to finish it off for the team.”

For second-placed Cooper, Avanti Racing’s primary general classifications contender after Patrick Bevin withdrew before the Tour with injury, the podium placing was an unexpected bonus after a challenging stage.

“I’m not noted for my sprinting prowess,” the New Zealand Road Race Champion joked. “It was all about positioning around that last corner – when Brad flew past I was just trying to hold on and go for it.”

The Sea FM stage three of the Jayco Tour of Tasmania will see riders head from East Devonport to George Town over a scenic 119.9 kilometre course. The dreaded Holwell Climb provides a challenging King of the Mountain point, before a fast final section may facilitate an exciting sprint finish.

Text via Cycling Australia Media Release

Images copyright Con Chronis