to ride the leaders were edging further away as time ticked on.

 

The leaders at the front were working superbly together and had a 10 sec gap, all five taking their turn at the front and McEwen leading them smoothly through the turns.

 

There were relentless attacks made by a few including, Roland, Noosa?s
Jason Phillips and Adam Tully, but all too quickly they were reeled back in. As the time ticked away so to the lead of McEwen, McGee, Davis, Poad and Cantwell. The ferocity of the powerful chase pack only made minimal progress on them even with the efforts of Cooke and Wilson driving the group.

 

As the momentum built the crowd could sense that the winner would come from the five and were all shouting for their local hero McEwen.

 

In the final three lap sprint Poad was the first to fall off after suffering from cramp and as the big three stepped it up Cantwell was next, these two not racing for fourth and fifth.

 

With just two laps to go McGee went first of the three and put in a big effort down the back straight to grab a small lead.

 

 

Going into the finish straight McGee had the pair covered and left McEwen and Davis to fight it out for second and third. After working together for 40 minutes it was each man for himself. McEwen was the first to attack and in a one on one sprint to the line he was too good for
Davis, claiming second from
Davis who finished third.

 

?It?s a great to finally win one of these, we?ve (Team FDJeux.com) been trying for three years,? said McGee.

 

 

McGee said the front group could have worked more efficiently if some guys hadn?t tried to save their legs for the finish but admitted it got him to the line first today paying tribute to his team mates Baden Cooke and Matt Wilson.

 

After finishing Cooke rode up to McGee and asked, ?Did you win?? McGee nodding as he finished with an interview and Cooke replying, ?Finally, payday.?

 

 

Davis was not too disappointed with third today as it secured him the overall series win for the second year in a row.

 

Results:

1.                   Brad McGee

2.                  
Robbie McEwen

3.                   Allan Davis

4.                   Jonathan Cantwell

5.                   Jaaron Poad

6.                   Daniel Newnham

7.                   Adam Tully

8.                   Leon Vogels

9.                   Kirk Dutton

10.                 Matt White

 

Overall series results:

1.                   Allan Davis

2.                  
Robbie McEwen

3.                   Jaaron Poad

 

For my fellow Aussies?A one hour television program will be screened nationally on the Australian Ten Network on Sunday 16 January 2005 and will include coverage of both the Surfers Paradise and South Bank events as well as a short documentary on
Athens Olympic gold medallist Brad McGee.

 

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