Team Type 1's Wilson Dons Climber’s Jersey At Sun Tour

Marysville, Australia – Team Type 1's Glen Chadwick moved closer to the overall lead on Wednesday's stage of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour while teammate Matt Wilson (pictured at right) pulled on the green-and-white polka-dot Cyclismo Bendigo King of the Mountains jersey.

Chadwick is seventh, 35 seconds behind overall leader Stuart O'Grady (CSC-Saxo Bank). Meantime, Wilson was the first rider over the top of the Category 1 climb that came 25 miles from the finish of Stage 3 in Marysville. The race's defending champion went on to finish seventh in the 85-mile (137 km) stage – the longest of the seven-day event – and moved into 13th overall.

Baden Cook (Barloworld) was Wednesday’s winner, ahead of Dominique Rollin (Toyota-United Pro Cycling) and Simon Clarke (SouthAustralia.com-AIS). Wilson and Chadwick were part of a 16-rider group that finished in front of a peloton that shattered due to the two's aggressive riding, Team Type 1 Sport Director Ed Beamon said.

"Matt and Chady looked really solid on the climb today. They took several shots but did not get much cooperation," Beamon said. "Chady went hard at the top with Matt coming around for top points. Unfortunately, 10 kilometers of descent allowed some dropped guys like O'Grady, Rollin and Clarke to get back on."

Wilson now leads the King of the Mountains competition by 16 points over Hugo Sabido (Barloworld). While the 2004 Australian national road champion could become the fourth rider from Team Type 1 to win a climbers competition at a stage race this year, Beamon said Wilson's focus is on winning the race again overall. Only 50 seconds down, he is one of 17 riders within a minute of lead. Last year, he won the race by a scant two seconds.

"Tomorrow the climb is more difficult and the finish is at the top," Beamon said. "Matty is in good shape for the KOM, but we'll be riding for (the) GC."

Thursday's 71-mile (115 km) stage finishes with a leg-breaking 10-mile (16 km) ascent to the summit of Mt. Buller. It is the final rated climb of the race. Friday's stage is an out-and-back, rolling time trial, followed by a criterium Saturday.

Photo: Courtesy Team Type 1