Brenton Jones took the win in today’s final stage of Tour of Hainan. Fabio Silvestre (Team Trek Factory Racing) came across in second with Benjamin Giraud (Team Marseille 13 KTM) in third. The 119km stage was fast from the start and was filled with attack after attack.

“The whole team were so strong and we were determined to finish strongly. A great lead-out by Graeme [Brown] put me in position in the final 1.5km and helped me take a strong win! I am so happy, winning the last race of the season and putting Drapac on the top step. The team has had so much faith in me all week, and today was well worth the wait” Jones said.

Jones sprinted on the right side to put his name on the record book of a HC race for the first time in his career after winning the prologue of the 2.1 Tour of Japan in May this year.

“The sprint was very messy because so many riders wanted to win today”, the Australian declared. “I found the right gap with 200 metres to go. It was nice to come up with a win after crashing in stage 1 on the same finish. I think every bunch sprint this week has been with a head wind so I must have come from behind today. I got a nice and clean run to the finish. I’ve had a great support from the boys all week. It’s nice to win this last stage.”

Chinese media were amazed to hear the story of the 23 year old whose life had been endangered in an accident.

“Four years ago I had a nasty crash in racing the Australian national road series”, Jones explained. “I was placed in induced coma at a hospital for a week. I was off the bike for three months. It was a serious brain injury. I was just lucky to survive. To come back from that and to get my biggest victory today, with the support of the team, I can’t thank all those who helped me along the way.”

“This was my first Tour of Hainan and I love it”, Jones concluded

Drapac spent the day working, with Adam Phelan sitting 9th in the General Classification and only a mere few seconds off the top 5.

“It is definitely hats of to the whole team today. This was truly a team effort. We kept it together for Meyer to take KOM points and for Phelan to try take some time in the intermediate sprints. Unfortunately for Phelan he got 4th in both sprints but Meyer managed to score some points finishing top five on the mountains classification. In the final we waited a lot longer then usual and attacked it like the other days. In the last 1-1.5k I had Jones on ice, relaxing in the bunch. In the last corner I punched it, Jones smoked past them and I knew he had it at 100m to go and started to salute. Absolutely great way to finish a race and especially the 2015 season,” Team Captain Graeme Brown said.

Sports Director Keith Flory was pleased with the team performance all week.

“The commitment from everyone was fantastic each and every day to the goals we set for ourselves. For Brenton to get a win when he is still struggling with some injuries sustained from stage 1 was a solid performance. Phelan rode strong all week for the team and it is a great finish to a good year of performances from across the team. Every rider has stepped up this year and it puts us in a great position to kick in for 2016,” Flory said.

Phelan closed out the tour with 8th in the general classification.