Darcy Ellerm-Norton had unfinished business at L'Etape Australia, the Tour de France spin-off race in the Snowy Mountains.
The 25-year-old who gave up ambitions of professional riding to work in the cycling business rode the fastest time in the first L'Etape two years ago but was not first across the line because he started in the second wave with his Rapha teammates.
Making amends: Darcy Ellerm-Norton, winner of L’Etape Australia.Credit:Sportograf
But in the third instalment – extended to 170km on a loop from Jindabyne including a climb to the top of Perisher – Ellerm-Norton won convincingly by more than seven minutes from last year's winner, Jesse Coyle.
His winning time in hot blustery conditions was 4 hrs 48 mins 45 secs.
While his form is a boost ahead of the national road title in Ballarat next month, the win was not entirely a surprise for the Sydney cyclist.
"I knew the guys who were riding today which helps out a lot," he said. "It's a bit more of a known quantity going in."
Ellerm-Norton took off on the brutal Beloka climb to establish a lead over Coyle, who was quicker up Beloka than Tour de France champion Chris Froome last year.
"When I saw he was under a little bit of pressure going up the Beloka climb, I thought it would be worthwhile to keep on pushing on and just put him on the back foot," he said.
Ellerm-Norton has raced full-time in Europe then was part of a Sydney-based St George Continental team in Asia for two years before deciding to "get a real job".
He was local general manager for the cycling apparel company Rapha until recently but starts a new job as business development manager with Scott Cycles on Monday.
Third was Nicholas Spratt, brother of world championship silver medallist Amanda Spratt, who rode the race as an ambassador.
Jennifer Kay won the women's yellow jersey from Sarah Anne Evans and Rebecca East.
In one of his last rides as a professional – he finishes at the Tour Down Under next month – race ambassador Mathew Hayman started at the back of the field and worked his way towards the front.
He described Ellerm-Norton's win as "a very credible performance".
"It's a hard day out there," he said. "It's a lot of climbing and the wind and the heat didn't make it easy."
The race and a 108km less demanding ride attracted more than 3000 cyclists.
Hayman, who famously won the Paris-Roubaix two years ago, said his final race would be emotional.
"Coming here today confirms that the best place for me is in Australia," he said. "The support I've had here, just the number of people that have congratulated me really is special. An event like this really reminds you how strong the sport of cycling is in Australia."
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