HEALESVILLE was host to the penultimate stage of the Herald Sun Tour on Saturday with the peloton closing to a minute for the final six-kilometre circuit of the town.
Spectators lined the River Street finish line to catch a glimpse of the riders who had made the 146.6 kilometre stage two ride from Michelton Winery through Seymour, Yea and Toolangi into Healesville.
Rio Olympic track cycling team aspirant Luke Davison captured a breakaway to win the stage with Aaron Donnelly claiming the yellow jersey holding the lead as overall winner on the day.
Davison from New South Wales, riding for the South Australian Institute of Sport, dashed clear of fellow escapee Will Walker (Drapac Cycling) in the final two kilometres to cruise through the finish line in Healesville unaware that he’d actually finished the stage.
“To be honest I thought there was another lap to go. I knew the peloton were breathing down our neck and to be honest general classification was on my mind,” an elated Davison said.
As the leaders entered the final kilometre, confusion reigned as they mixed with the stragglers who had a lap to go.
“From about 300m to go, everyone was saying ‘one to go, one to go’ and I came in and really didn’t rehearse the finish too much. I was really confused as to what was going on.”
Tour leader Aaron Donnelly (Huon Salmon-Genesys Wealth Advisers) survived to carry a 14-second lead over Jayco VIS rider Calvin Watson, with a further three seconds to New Zealand’s Josh Atkins into the final stage on Sunday.
Highlights of the Michelton to Healesville stage included some fast sprints in Seymour and Yea, the climbers gaining through the Murrindindi stage and the long, fast descent into Healesville.
Calvin Watson from Frankston was the ultimate winner of the prestigious three-day tour with an impressive performance on the Mornington Peninsula on Sunday.
