Wohler gets the better of Davison with a win in Gunbower

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Finally, after seven stages at the Tour of the Murray River, there is a new face on the top step of the podium. Alex Wohler (Team Downunder) couldn’t have asked for a better day when he won the 30-lap criterium around Gunbower. Wohler finished third in the morning’s stage and was clearly feeling ready to improve on his result. Luke Davison (Budget Forklifts) and London Games Olympian Glenn O’Shea (SASI) took out the minor placings while tour leader Joel Pearson (Genesys) maintained his 16-second lead over teammate Anthony Giacoppo.

Riders were greeted by blustery conditions in stage 7, a 1.2km circuit, raced 30 times for a total of 36km. The Gunbower criterium would also see riders contesting 11 intermediate sprints.

If the morning’s Moama criterium result was anything to go by, it could prove to be another chance for the stronger riders to take advantage of tiring legs and gain a few seconds – in the intermediate sprints or towards the final laps.

Malcolm Rudolph (Drapac) didn’t know it but along with taking maximum points in the first sprint of the stage, he also won 5kgs of rump steak from one of the local sponsors. Perhaps he’ll share it with the two who finished behind him; Ryan Macanally (Budget Forklifts) and Patrick Shaw (Genesys) who finished second and third respectively.

Tasco Inland Sprint leader Josh Taylor (GPM-Wilson Racing) has been active throughout the tour, taking sprint points during the criteriums and also out on the road during the longer stages. He was at it again in Gunbower, taking the second sprint and $100 worth of lamp chops for his efforts while Stuart Shaw (Drapac) and GPM-Wilson Racing teammate Caleb Jones claimed the minor spots.

Rudolph was clearly looking to move himself up the general classification as he won the third sprint ahead Pat Shaw and Luke Parker (Parramatta Race Team).

The next sprint, held on lap 9 was the moment when Taylor decided to attack. He finished behind Macanally and Evan Hull (Parramatta Race Team) but continued to force the pace. Stuart Shaw was keen on contesting a few more as he took out the sprints on lap 11 and 13 before Taylor once again took the maximum on lap 15.

Stuart Shaw and Taylor took out the following two sprints before Josh Harrison finally edged clear to win lap 21.

With 6 laps remaining a group of six riders had broken clear of the bunch but unlike the morning’s race, the bunch was keen to bring it back for the bunch sprint.

At the finish it was Alex Wohler (Team Downunder) who won his first race of the Tour, bettering his Moama third place result from earlier in the day. Wohler won ahead of Luke Davison (Budget Forklifts) and Australian Olympian Glenn O-Shea (SASI).

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