A CRASH two kilometres from the finish line has cast doubt on former Mortlake cyclist Darcy Woolley’s Tour of The Murray River campaign.
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Woolley was sitting with the main bunch as they approached the finish of the 160-kilometre first stage from Mildura to Robinvale when he was unable to avoid a crash in the peloton.
The African Wildlife Safaris cyclist said he “went over the top” of the fallen riders, coming off and landing heavily on the hip he injured in a training accident last week.
“I was in a good position and was feeling really good. I was sitting on (teammate) Pat Lane’s wheel in the bunch. A few guys went down in front of us and we couldn’t avoid them,” he said. “I’m pretty sore. Hopefully I wake up all right in the morning and can still stick with the bunch.”
Woolley said fellow south-west cyclist and good friend Matt Lane narrowly avoided coming off in the crash and waited until Woolley was back on his bike.
Woolley finished the stage in 123rd position, five minutes and 20 seconds behind winner Brenton Jones. Matt Lane finished 99th, two minutes and 25 seconds behind.
Because they were both involved in the crash within five kilometres of the finish, they start today’s second stage on the same time as the leader.
The tour continues today with a 30-kilometre criterium in Swan Hill and a 98.2 kilometre road race from Swan Hill to Quambatook.