By Peter Douglas
Selby-raised cyclist Simon Clarke is piecing together a fantastic, team-oriented performance in this year’s Tour de France, helping to lift his Cannondale Drapac team to 6th position after Stage 9.
Although failing in a Stage 8 bid for a high placing, Clarke has proven to be the ultimate professional for his team, playing a role in assisting team-mate Rigoberto Uran’s incredible Stage 9 victory.
Though, Clarke openly admitted he sought a higher placing for himself during Stage 8 from Dole to Station des Rousses.
In an SBS interview, Clarke said he planned to make a move during the stage, but hadn’t anticipated the strength of the breakaway.
“I had today’s stage pencilled in from a fair while ago. Obviously, I tried not to tell everyone because that gives it away,” Clarke said.
“But, in the end, it turned out to be such a hard stage (because) that was just a quality breakaway … they’re basically ex GC (general classification) riders and for me to match them on the final climb, I’m always going to have my work cut out.
“What kind of brought me unstuck was that I needed to go deep on that category two (climb) to get across.
“Although I rode myself into the bike race, I kind of rode my legs off to be there. Then, when it was time to go, I didn’t have anything left.”
Clarke has every reason to be pleased, though.
After Stage 9, he is 57th in the General Classification category and has been as high as 39th.
His consistency comes amid the typical controversies and heartbreaks surrounding the Tour, the latest being countryman, and one race favourite, Richie Porte crashing out of the race.
Clarke is among nine Australians who started this year’s Tour de France, and is becoming one of the more experienced riders.
