The sixth stage of the 2009 Jayco Herald Sun Tour was a 65km circuit race in downtown Melbourne. From the very start the crowds were huge, at least 50,000 strong. The Jelly Belly Team bolted out of the gate and rode tough all day.
Matty Rice, Jonny Clarke, Kiel Reijnen and Bernard van Ulden used smart tactics and skills to get what they wanted.
“It was too bad that Will (Routley) was sick all week,” said Danny van Haute, Team Director. “He gave it the old college try to finish today but the speed was just too fast for him. He will be much better next month when we race in China.”
At the sixth stage, the Team planned to keep track of who was going up the rode, and to stay in front just in case a break happened.
“We didn’t want anybody getting away that could move in front of Bernard in the GC,” Van Haute explained. “But we also needed to take care of Jonny at the end, in order to give him a chance to sprint for the win.”
Clarke’s protection unit succeeded in allowing him to take 6th place at the end of Stage Six. Van Ulden passed the finish line with a 10th place finish but took 5th in the GC. Not far behind was Kiel in 15th for the day. Kiel also placed 3rd in the KOM, for the week.
“The results we got this week were great,” van Haute said. “I’m very happy with the team’s performance. Now we will race in China and go for the win.”
-Molly Saunders
PR Jelly Belly Pro Cycling Team
