Irish road race champion David McCann finished a fine third overall in the Jayco Herald Sun Tour today, but will undoubtedly be disappointed that he was unable to win the 2.1-ranked event.
The Belfast rider went into the final stage, a criterium in Lygon, second overall, just one second behind the race leader Chris Jongewaard (Savings & Loan) and on the same time as last year's race winner Simon Gerrans (Australian National Team).
There were time bonuses up for grabs at two intermediate sprints plus the finish.
Jongewaard and Gerrans picked up bonuses here but the latter’s third place behind victorious team-mate Robbie McEwen on the stage meant that he took the final yellow jersey.
Jongewaard was second, four seconds back, while McCann was unable to nab any bonuses and finished 14 seconds behind Gerrans in third.
Although he will rue the missed chance, equalling his final overall position of last year is a strong performance and brings to a close what was a very good season with the Giant Asia team.
He took a number of good wins, including the overall classification of the Tour of Indonesia, the Irish road race championship, plus stage victories in the Tour of Qinghai Lake and the Tour of Thailand (two).
The 33-year-old also finished second in time trials in the Jayco Herald Sun Tour and the Tour de Langkawi, and has been Ireland’s most consistent performer on the international circuit.
JAYCO HERALD SUN TOUR, AUSTRALIA:
Stage 7 - October 14: Lygon Street Criterium, 80 minutes plus 3 laps (65km approx)
1 R McEwen (Australian National Team) 1:26.1 sec
2 G Henderson (Health Net Presented By Maxxis)
3 S Gerrans (Australian National Team)
4 K Menzies (Health Net Presented By Maxis) all same time
5 C Jongewaard (Savings & Loans Cycling Team) + 1 sec
Final General classification after stage 7:
1 S Gerrans (Aus Nat Team) 20:33.8
2 C Jongewaard (Savings) +00.00.04
3 D McCann (Giant Asia) +00.00.14
4 P Zajicek (Navigators Ins) +00.00.14
5 D Rollin (Can Nat Team) +00.02.05
