PureBlack Racing have shown they can survive the aggressive Australian racing at the Tour of Murray River with results in both of yesterday’s stages leaving them on both the individual, and team, General Classification podium.

In Stage Three of the tour, PureBlack Racing Captain Roman van Uden, took his first criterium podium in Australia, finishing third in the 25km circuit race.

Van Uden said, “It is great to get a podium finish against the Aussies, they have been really hard races and tough competitors to race against.”

Director Sportif, John Harris is impressed with the way the team has stepped to match the strength of the Australian teams.

Harris said, “We have the horsepower to be up there with the full strength Australian teams.”

An 82km road race (Stage Four) was held just one and a half hours after the criterium, and once again PureBlack Racing were amongst the moves from the gun.

PureBlack Racing riders James McCoy and Joseph Cooper continued to launch attacks on the peloton, with McCoy a member of a 13 rider breakaway as the stage approached its conclusion, and he was just pipped for a place on the podium in a sprint finish.

McCoy said, “I am disappointed to not get on the podium, but we wanted to be present in everything that jumped out of the peloton - that is exactly what we did.”

Yesterday’s result, along with a strong showing in the earlier stages, has lifted McCoy to 3rd place in the overall individual G.C. going into the third day of racing. McCoy is 28 seconds behind race leader Joel Pearson, with his Genesys Wealth Advisors teammate Anthony Giacoppo in 2nd.

Harris said, “They have really proved to me that they are a great team. They proved it in Borneo and they are proving it here again.”

PureBlack Racing is also sitting in 2nd place of the team G.C., just 41 seconds behind leaders Genesys Wealth Advisors.

The Tour of Murray River is part of the annual Scody Cup Series that comprises of four tours from August to October.

For more on the Scody Cup visit http://nationalroadseries.subaru.com.au