News

Sakai, Japan – Will Clarke won the Champion System Pro Cycling team's first race of the season Sunday with Fuji SST. And his teammate Cameron Wurf was second in the Tour of Japan's prologue time trial.  Clarke covered the 2.65 kilometer course in three minutes and 19 seconds, one second faster than Wurf, as the 15th edition of the race got underway in Sakai, Japan. King Lok Cheung (Hong Kong National Team) was third, two seconds behind Clarke.  Clarke said he was feeling good during a morning criterium that was not scored as part of the stage race. "It definitely helped motivate me to do a good time in the prologue," he said. "I'm extremely happy and proud to be able to deliver the Champion System team its first victory."  Champion System General Manager Ed Beamon said the win was particularly satisfying for the team, which is Asia's first pro continental squad. "It's great to start off the race with such an outstanding result and we hope there's more to come."  Clarke's victory was his second of the year after winning Stage 2 of the Santos Tour Down Under while riding for the composite UniSA-Australia squad. After a transfer day Monday, he will wear the green leader's jersey in Tuesday's 160 km road race.  Champion System Sport Director Chris Wherry, who is directing the team at the race, said he hopes to build momentum from the win.  "The guys are super motivated now and I think this is just the thing we needed to get the ball rolling," he said. "I hope that the energy we have here spreads to the guys racing right now in Europe as well."


9/6/2013