<p>Australian sprinter gave Specialized its first win of the year today in Geelong, Australia. Honing his form to lead-out HTC's Mark Cavendish in the upcoming Tour Down Under, Goss won the first stage of the Jayco Bay Classic.</p><p>
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Allan Davis, another Specialized rider, placed third behind Goss and Chris Sutton in the sprint finish.</p><p>
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"This is a good start," Goss said after putting on the leader's yellow jersey. "We came here to win a stage, and that is what we did."</p><p>
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Though supported by HTC's and Specialized's equipment, Goss travelled to Victoria State with an all-Tasmanian team: E3/Pure. The same for Davis, who normally races for Astana but represents Bikebug at the Jayco Bay Classic.</p><p>
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Goss' HTC team-mates Leigh Howard and Mark Renshaw placed fifth and seventh respectively.</p><p>
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His Jayco Bay Classic stage win proves he is on track for another good season. Last year, he won a stage at the Giro d'Italia and the one-day classic, GP Plouay. Prior to racing the World Championships, he led Cavendish to three sprint wins at the Vuelta a España.</p><p>
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Jayco Bay Classic and last week's Launceston Classic win leave Goss in good stead for the Tour Down Under January 16 to 23. At the race, he will debut in his new HTC-Highroad kit and work for team-mate Cavendish. This week, though, it is his turn.</p><p>
</p><p>
"We'll take it day by day," said Goss. "There is no reason why we can't" win the overall classification.</p><p>
</p><p>
He will face the classification battle with greater confidence thanks to his win over Sutton. Sutton had Great Britain's super team, Sky, pulling him to the line at the end of the 45-minute race. Goss relied on his Tasmanian mates and good form to overcome the challenge.</p><p>
</p><p>
Goss will face another challenge tomorrow. The stage to Portarlington is expected to cause splits in the group and prohibit a bunch sprint. Goss' job will be to be on the right side of the splits and defend his yellow jersey.</p><p>
</p><p>
The race's final day on Wednesday in Williamstown leaves Goss with less than two weeks until the Tour Down Under. He appears ready.</p><p>
</p><p>
1. Matthew Goss (E3/Pure)</p><p>
2. Chris Sutton (Sky)</p><p>
3. Allan Davis (Bikebug.com)</p>
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</p><p>
Allan Davis, another Specialized rider, placed third behind Goss and Chris Sutton in the sprint finish.</p><p>
</p><p>
"This is a good start," Goss said after putting on the leader's yellow jersey. "We came here to win a stage, and that is what we did."</p><p>
</p><p>
Though supported by HTC's and Specialized's equipment, Goss travelled to Victoria State with an all-Tasmanian team: E3/Pure. The same for Davis, who normally races for Astana but represents Bikebug at the Jayco Bay Classic.</p><p>
</p><p>
Goss' HTC team-mates Leigh Howard and Mark Renshaw placed fifth and seventh respectively.</p><p>
</p><p>
His Jayco Bay Classic stage win proves he is on track for another good season. Last year, he won a stage at the Giro d'Italia and the one-day classic, GP Plouay. Prior to racing the World Championships, he led Cavendish to three sprint wins at the Vuelta a España.</p><p>
</p><p>
Jayco Bay Classic and last week's Launceston Classic win leave Goss in good stead for the Tour Down Under January 16 to 23. At the race, he will debut in his new HTC-Highroad kit and work for team-mate Cavendish. This week, though, it is his turn.</p><p>
</p><p>
"We'll take it day by day," said Goss. "There is no reason why we can't" win the overall classification.</p><p>
</p><p>
He will face the classification battle with greater confidence thanks to his win over Sutton. Sutton had Great Britain's super team, Sky, pulling him to the line at the end of the 45-minute race. Goss relied on his Tasmanian mates and good form to overcome the challenge.</p><p>
</p><p>
Goss will face another challenge tomorrow. The stage to Portarlington is expected to cause splits in the group and prohibit a bunch sprint. Goss' job will be to be on the right side of the splits and defend his yellow jersey.</p><p>
</p><p>
The race's final day on Wednesday in Williamstown leaves Goss with less than two weeks until the Tour Down Under. He appears ready.</p><p>
</p><p>
1. Matthew Goss (E3/Pure)</p><p>
2. Chris Sutton (Sky)</p><p>
3. Allan Davis (Bikebug.com)</p>
More...