Drapac Porsche jersey

SYDNEY, Jan 14 (CP) - Australian Darren Lapthorne has surprised his fellow countrymen to win the National Championships. The Drapac Porsche rider finished solo with an advantage of fifteen seconds over a chasing group. The 183.6 kilometres long road race was decided in the final kilometres when the 23-year-old Lapthorne jumped away from the peloton. The youngster won the Championship, while his teammate Robert McLachlan won the sprint for the second place. Health Net rider Karl Menzies completed the podium, while topper Baden Cooke finished ninth at almost three minutes from the winner. The other ProTour rider, Predictor-Lotto's Matthew Lloyd, finished sixth. Race results: 1. Darren Lapthorne (Aus-DPC) 4h16'18" 2. Robert McLachlan (Aus-DPC) 0'15" 3. Karl Menzies (Aus-HNM) s.t. 4. Hilton Clarke (Aus-NIC) s.t. 5. David McPartland (Aus-TEN) s.t. 6. Matthew Lloyd (Aus-PRL) s.t. 7. Rory Sutherland (Aus-HNM) s.t. 8. Jonathon Clarke (Aus-SAI) 2'08" 9. Baden Cooke (Aus-UNI) 2'53" 10. Peter McDonald (Aus-FRF) s.t.

© Jeroen Michiels