The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, which will be the last Australian race of the year for most of the European professionals, found Gianni Meersman (Etixx-Quickstep) taking the victory ahead of Simon Clarke and Nathan Haas.  IAM Cycling fought hard to promote the chances of Heinrich Haussler. The Australian national champion did manage to grab a strong top-10 by winning the bunch sprint for the pack that finished on the heels of the small group of nine escapees.
 
Taking stock of his long stay in his adopted land, Heinrich Haussler expressed satisfaction.

“The sensations have been good since the beginning of the year.  I won the Australian road championships and took many top places in other races.  That proves that I am ready for the Tour of Qatar that starts in a week.” 

Regarding his last Australian race, which closely followed the Worlds course from 2010, the puncheur from the Swiss professional cycling team spoke with a note of disappointment in his voice. 

“A top-10 is always a good way to build confidence before the Tour of Qatar.  Once again, the team did an amazing job to put me in a position to play a leading role.  The course was very difficult and dangerous because of the rain.  It was not more than 16 degrees C out there.  Under these conditions, the falls came fast and furious.  On the last lap Stef Clement, Jarlinson Pantano and Martin Elmiger attempted to get away in a break, but unfortunately we didn’t catch the leaders in the last kilometer.”