"I knew I had to be patient" - Laurence Pithie plays cards to perfection and takes brilliant victory at Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

Groupama - FDJ's Laurence Pithie has taken victory at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. The 21-year-old Kiwi timed his move to perfection.

“I got stuck about one kilometre to go, stuck behind. Corbin Strong was calling my bluff a little bit, he wanted me to go in front of him to chase Stephen Williams," Pithie recalled of the finale, referencing the eclectic group that had made the race-winning selection.

"I knew I had to be patient," Pithie, who's only other win came at the Cholet - Pays de la Loire in 2023, explains. "We spoke in the briefing this morning, patience was going to be key."

“It was just going balls to the walls, full gas. I was coming back at him, coming back at him, had to close the gap," Pithie concludes. "The Intermarché rider (Natnael Tesfatsion ed.) on the outside, he was coming quick, but I just managed to hold on in the lunge."