THE finish could have been better, but fourth place was as good as a win yesterday for Canberra cyclist Michael Rogers.
The three-time world time trial champion showed he might finally be over his persistent health problems with a great ride in stage five of the Tour Down Under.
Rogers finished fourth in the riveting stage at Willunga and the 2002 Santos Tour winner is now fourth overall with one stage left.
A recurrence of glandular fever-type symptoms put Rogers out of action for much of last year. It is an issue that has plagued the Sky-Procycling rider for several years. But after yesterday's ride, featuring two climbs of Old Willunga Hill and a hilltop finish, Rogers was rapt.
''The goal was to just get everything out today and I was happy to be able to do that,'' he said.
''It's been a while since I've been able to pull a lot out of myself like that. It's a bit of my own victory, even though I didn't win. I'm really pleased.''
The only disappointment was that he had hoped to set up teammate Edvald Boasson Hagen for the stage win and the overall lead. But the Norwegian lost touch with Rogers and finished sixth, as Spaniard Alejandro Valverde edged out Australian Simon Gerrans for the stage win.
''I thought Edvald was still on my wheel with 400m to go ... I buried it and obliviously Gerro and Valverde came around me. I was a bit surprised Eddy wasn't there. It was a bit of an error, but other than that, all positive,'' Rogers said.
Canberran Nathan Haas (Garmin-Barracuda) held a 28-second lead when the race went over the top of Old Willunga Hill for the first time yesterday, but faded to finish 51st.
.gif)
