Jayco Herald Sun Tour last stage cancelled, Clarke declared winner, with fire risk too great and police needed elsewhere

SIMON Clarke has been declared the winner of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour with the final stage up Arthurs Seat cancelled because of fire risk.

Tour winner Simon Clarke of the Orica GreenEdge team gets a champagne shower from Cameron Wurf (left) and Jack Haig (right) on the podium after Sunday’s final stage was canmcelled. Picture: Michael Klein

JAYCO Herald Sun Tour champion Simon Clarke would have liked nothing more than to contest yesterday’s final stage at Arthurs Seat — and prove his supremacy,

But the Orica-GreenEDGE allrounder fully backed the decision to cancel the stage because of safety issues related to Sunday’s horrendous weateher conditions and the fire risk it posed.

High winds whipped Arthurs Seat as riders prepared for the 124km final stage and shuttle services carrying spectators to the iconic Arthurs Seat summit finish were cancelled.

Clarke, 27, was told minutes before the 124km stage was due to begin that racing had been cancelled on the advice of police and emergency services.

Race director John Trevorrow told riders that fire-fighting resources had been deployed from the Mornington Peninsula to fight blazes around Victoria.

While there was no immediate threat at Arthurs Seat, fire could have raced up the hill in minutes and it was not deemed safe to allow riders to ride.

“Whilst we are obviously disappointed that this great stage at Arthurs Seat could not go ahead, we understand the decision made by authorities,” Trevorrow said.

“It is a pretty dark day out there and the safety of the public state wide and our own riders and spectators is by far the priority.

“We had a number of event staff who have left the race to go home having received news that their houses are under threat, so there is a much bigger picture involved here.

“Simon is a deserving victor of the 2014 Jayco Herald Sun Tour and will sit comfortably amongst an honour roll that features so many of Australia’s great bike riders.”

News_Image_File: Tour winner Simon Clarke (centre) with his Orica GreenEDGE teammates (L-R) Damien Howson, Cameron Meyer, Mitch Docker, Matthew Goss and Simon Gerrans after Sunday’s final stage was cancelled. Picture: Michael Klein

An emotional Trevorrow said he was devastated by the decision to cancel the final 124km stage, but understood why racing could not proceed.

Clarke empathised with Trevorrow, spectators and fellow competitors.

“It was unfortunate that it got cancelled,” he said.

“Our team was in a good position. They were prepared to race and I think we would have fared well if we did race — but we didn’t.

“There was quite a high fire danger and the most important thing is everyone’s safety.

“I was ready for that showdown.

“Obviously today was the queen stage of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour and it was going to be a great spectacle for the crowd to see myself and Jack and Cameron face off on Arthurs Seat.

“But, like I said, it is what is is.

“It’s unfortunate. I feel sorry for the organisation and everything that goes into a race like this to have a day cancelled.

“A lot of spectators have driven from far and wide so, from that perspective, it’s unfortunate.”

Clarke joined some of the biggest names in cycling after winning his first stage race.

Previous winners including Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins, Olympic gold medallist Russell Mockridge and multiple national champion Simon Gerrans.

Clarke won the 61st Herald Sun Tour by 8secs from Tasmanian Cameron Wurf (Cannondale) and Bendigo’s Jack Haig (Avanti Racing).

Orica-Green-EDGE’s Simon Clarke, who led the race by 8sec after the third stage, was declared the winner from Cameron Wurf (Cannondale) and Jack Haig (Avanti Racing).

News_Image_File: Jayco Herald Sun Tour winner Simon Clarke sits safely on teammate Simon Gerrans’ wheel heading to Nagambie on Saturday. Picture: Michael Klein

General Classification standings: Top 20

1 Simon CLARKE OGE 10:59:17

2 Cameron WURF CAN +0:08

3 Jack HAIG U23 APC +0:11

4 Nathan HAAS GRS +1:09

5 Neil VAN DER PLOEG APC +1:21

6 Jonathan CANTWELL DPC Same Time

7 Simon GERRANS OGE +1:22

8 Glenn O’SHEA AUS +1:23

9 Cameron MEYER OGE same time

10 William CLARKE DPC same time

11 Mitch DOCKER OGE +1:24

12 Alex CLEMENTS U23 JAY +1:28

13 Harry CARPENTER U23 JAY same time

14 Lachlan NORRIS DPC same time

15 Guillaume BOIVIN CAN +1:29

16 Timothy ROE BFL +1:30

17 Darren LAPTHORNE DPC +1:31

18 Rhys GILLETT AWS same time

19 Robert POWER U23 JAY same time

20 Calvin WATSON AUS +1:32

News_Image_File: The peloton rolls out of Michelton Winery as the Jayco Herald Sun Tour riders make their way to Nagambie on Saturday. Picture: Michael Klein

News_Rich_Media: Aussie Haas wins Stage 1

News_Rich_Media: Clarke takes stage two yellow