Graves is the reigning world champion of this event held in Belgium. 

“On those first two turns you had to be careful because anything could happen there,” Graves told Cycling Australia. ”A good start definitely helps on this course, but you still aren’t completely safe, because there are plenty of spots to get passed.

In the final Graves again gained the advantage with a good start leading Czech riders Tomas Slavik (RSP 4 Cross Racing) and Michal Prokop (Agang Racing) and Swiss rider Roger Rinderknecht to fight it out for the minor placings.

“It is definitely good to start the season off with a win, because it takes the pressure off, so I’m pretty happy right now.”

Belgian Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma – Lotto) is on top of the world ranking with 292 points ahead of Spaniards Alessandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne) on 281 and Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) on 268 points.

On the nation rankings Australia with 415 points has moved back into third place behind Spain (1044 points) and Belgium (712 points).

The Genesys Wealth Advisers team gave its all to close the gap between overnight leader Ben Dyball (Virgin Blue-RBS Morgans) and Clarke. The stage victory and its accompanying bonus seconds was everything Clarke could hope to achieve on the stage, however Dyball managed to stay with the lead group and maintain a 34 second lead.

Clarke held off round one winner Luke Durbridge (Jayco-Skins) and Adam Phelan (McDonagh Blake-Witness) in the sprint to the line. Dyball finished the stage in eighth place.

The 25-year-old sued the Herald Sun over two articles that were published in 2004.

He said he was happy with the win in which the court awarded him $175,000. He was cleared of doping charges in 2005.

“I’m very happy, it’s the last case. It’s been a long road over the last five years to vindicate my name, and now I’m just happy it’s all over,” he said.

“It’s finished on a positive note and I can move on with my life.”

- with the ABC

World Champion Evans claimed his first Classic on Wednesday at Flèche Wallonne.

BMC director John Lelangue had plenty of confidence in Evans telling cyclingnews.com: We know Cadel can do well in this type of race,” said Lelangue. “He showed in Amstel Gold Race that he was in good shape and then he won Flèche Wallonne.”

“[After Flèche Wallonne] other teams will be looking at us more closely,” continued Lelangue. “We’re confident we can work well to bring Cadel to the finish in the best condition.”

Tanner was successful in the final 84-mile Tombstone Road Race whiched helped Fly V Australia take the points.

“I wasn’t until the last two kilometres of the climb that it really split,” said Tanner after the finish.

The break contained Tanner and Fly V teammate Charles Dionne, Maxim Jenkins and Marc DeMaar of UnitedHealthcare presented by Maxxis, Christopher Hong of Team Exergy, Jonathan Garcia (Team Rio Grande), Marsh Cooper (Trek Red Truck), Joshua Bartlett (Rubicon-Orbea), Diego Yepez (Bicycle Religion), Andres Diaz (RaceMenu.com) and Michael Mathis (AZA Equitable).

- with cyclingnews.com

With former track rider Ben Kersten winning and team-mate Alessandro Bazzana placing third, the Australian Continental team secured enough points to add the teams’ lead to the individual lead of rider Ben Day.

Nicky Wangsgard (Roosters p/b Edge Composite) won the professional women’s race in a three-rider break, but the result had little impact on the overall standings. Germany’s Ina-Yoko Teutenberg continues to lead the women’s standings while her HTC-Columbia sits atop the women’s team standings.

- with cyclingnews.com

The pair, who were silver medallists last year, gave Australia its sixth gold medal of the championship with one day remaining.

“It was disappointing, but that’s bike riding, the decision was made and it worked out for the best with us taking the team pursuit world title,” Howard told the Geelong Advertiser.

“I couldn’t have been more happy than for one of my best friends to step in and take the rainbow for me.

“I’ve come in tonight and got the rainbow jersey so couldn’t ask for anything else,” he said.

Howard is one of Australia’s rising young riders and is expected to have a big 2010.

WORLD Champion and local hero Cadel Evans has shown some impressive form leading up to the Gio d’Italia event.

Evans proved to be dangerous in the Keutenberg climb in which he was in the front group containing all the big-name favourites that fought for victory on the Cauberg.

He lost a few seconds on the tough climb to the finish and crossed the 13th at 11 seconds.

His strong ride was also an indication that he is on track for a strong performance in next month’s Giro d’Italia.

“That was hard. It was also the best ever Amstel I’ve ever done but it was not quite good enough,” Evans told Cyclingnews as he rode slowly to the BMC team bus.

“I was actually okay until about 10km to go, but then I got cramps. By then I’d already committed my race to helping Karsten, which was fine and something I’m more than happy to do. But I surprised myself. I was good, I was good, I was good and then I was bad.”

- with cyclingnews.com

In a statement Senior Sergeant Peter Jenkins said investigators will look at all the factors in the crash.

“Officers are examining all relevant documents to determine if any breaches have occurred,” he said.

A 37-year-old died and three others were injured. The truck driver was also injured.

Police still want to speak to any witnesses of Saturday’s accident. They can be contacted via Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.