Two-time national champion Simon Gerrans has fallen agonisingly short of a third title, claiming the silver medal at the Australian Championships in Buninyong today.
In a race that came down to the wire, it was an attack by Miles Scotson (BMC) with one kilometre to go that caught the splintered field by surprise to claim the coveted jersey.
Gerrans won the bunch sprint that crossed the finish line just a few metres short of Scotson. Nathan Haas (Dimension Data) rounded out the podium.
“It’s ever so disappointing when it’s so close,” Gerrans said. “But we had guys up the road all day long which was the plan. I wasn’t on the best day so I rode as conservatively as I could to stay in the race.”
| Place | Rider/Team | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miles Scotson (AUS) - BMC Racing Team | 4:37:55 |
| 2 | Simon Gerrans (AUS) - ORICA-SCOTT | ST |
| 3 | Nathan Haas (AUS) - Dimension Data | ST |
| 4 | Cameron Bayly (AUS) - IsoWhey Sports Swisswellness | ST |
| 5 | Nathan Earle (AUS) - | ST |
| 6 | Travis Meyer (AUS) - | ST |
| 7 | Brendan Canty (AUS) - Cannondale-Drapac | ST |
| 8 | Robbie Hucker (AUS) - IsoWhey Sports Swisswellness | ST |
| 9 | Lachlan Norris (AUS) - UnitedHealthcare | ST |
| 10 | Mark O'Brien (AUS) - | ST |
| Place | Mitchelton-SCOTT Riders | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Simon Gerrans (AUS) - ORICA-SCOTT | ST |
| 14 | Luke Durbridge (AUS) - ORICA-SCOTT | 0:00:24 |
| 42 | Damien Howson (AUS) - ORICA-SCOTT | 0:05:15 |
| 43 | Caleb Ewan (AUS) - ORICA-SCOTT | 0:05:15 |