Matthews and Dennis on the podium in Norway
Michael Matthews celebrates success in Norway
Canberra's Michael Matthews, 19, has won the second stage of the five day Ringerike Grand Prix in Norway with Jayco-Skins team mate Rohan Dennis, 20, sprinting home in third place.
The 205km stage from Geilo to Krokstadelva was the longest of the tour and was raced over relatively flat terrain. Fifty kilometres into the stage a group of three riders escaped and built up a lead of almost seven minutes but with the peloton chasing them their lead had whittled down to 2:30 as the race headed into the final 40 kilometres.
Jayco-Skins Richard Lang, 21, and Luke Durbridge, 19, lent their weight to the chase and worked hard to counter any threats.
"Two kilometres from home the race was back together and the boys got to work setting up the sprint," said Team Director, James Victor. "Luke (Durbridge) had Rohan (Dennis) on his wheel and took him through some tight corners at a fast pace.
"Michael (Matthews) came from ten riders back out of the last corner at 250 metres to go and rolled 2009 team pursuit World Champion, Jens Madsen (DEN) on the line with Rohan also finishing strongly to claim third."
In a close fought finish officials called for the photo to decide the placings.
The stage result has moved Matthews into third overall behind Sweden's Alexander Wetterhall, 24, who took the lead after a solo win on the opening stage. Wetterhall has a 19 second lead over Norwegian Christer Rake with Mattews at 20 second and Dennis fifth, also at 20 seconds.
Matthews leads the Best Young Rider classification with Dennis ranked third.
Tomorrow’s stage will travel 161 kilometres south from Drammen along the coast of the Drammensfjord before heading inland and north to the finish in Vikersund.
