locals doing it US side

England wins fifth stage, Lowe sets pace in Georgia
Reuters, Friday April 25 2008
By James Raia

DAHLONEGA, Georgia, April 25 (Reuters) - Former track specialist Richard England of Australia won the fifth stage of the Tour de Georgia in a tight sprint finish on Friday while compatriot Trent Lowe claimed the overall race lead.
The 26-year-old England, a double Australian team pursuit champion, bolted to the front over the last 500 metres to win the 214.7km leg from Suwanee to Dahlonega in five hours, 15 minutes, 15 seconds.
His compatriot Rory Sutherland finished second in the longest stage of the seven-day race, with American George Hincapie third.
England, Sutherland and Hincapie all posted the same time.
Lowe, who began the day sixth overall, 15 seconds behind race leader Greg Henderson of New Zealand, claimed the overall lead by finishing ninth in the stage.
Henderson tumbled to 93rd place, having lost more than 15 minutes after struggling for much of the stage in periodic rain.
American Levi Leipheimer, the race favourite, is in fourth place overall, four seconds behind Lowe.
The race continues on Saturday with the 142.3-km sixth stage featuring a climbing finish to Brasstown Bald Mountain, which at 1,487 metres is the highest point in Georgia.
It ends on Sunday with a 100.9-km circuit race in Atlanta.



Well its all good at the Tour of Georgia. Our local lads are doing Melburn proud. Ritchie pulled the win of his career off overnight wining stage 5. He out sprinted big George Hincappe and Rory Sutherland to win. Awesome! It has been a pleasure to know Ritchie over the years since racing on the track at Blackburn and watch him develop into the rider he is through serious hard work and determination. You can follow his diary of the tour on his blog through the side bar.


Trent Lowe has managed to grap the overall leaders jersey to continue a excellent year in the pro ranks with Slipstream. Bloody good effort by two local lads.

Before I forget to mention Gerro and his exploits in Europe. His for is coming along even managing a win at the Criterium International over coming Jens Voigt in the closing stages of the break away. He has also managed some great results in the Amstel Gold race a week ago with a 12th place so hopefully some more great results in the coming weeks.



It is great to see it all coming together for these local lads......hopefully its only the start!

trails!