Morton eyes California GC after Gila win

SAN DIEGO (VN) — Nowadays, Lachlan Morton might be better known for his “Thereabouts” adventures across the Australian Outback and American West than for his climbing prowess and pro cycling chops. But that could change this week.

The Jelly Belly – Maxxis rider has set his sights on a big result at the Amgen Tour of California. At 24, fresh off a win at the 30th Tour of the Gila, the Australian is hoping to carry his good form into his team’s biggest objective of the year and remind people of the talent that brought him a dramatic win on stage 3 of the 2013 Tour of Utah as a member of the Garmin squad.

“This is the first time I’ve had the Tour of California as my big goal for the year,” Morton said. “I’m prepared for it and I know I’m in good form. At a race like this you have to have a bit of luck on your side, but we’re in with a chance for fighting for a GC position and that’s my goal.”

According to Morton, the 2016 course is more dynamic than in past years when the race often hinged more on a good time trial performance than pure climbing form. The Gibraltar climb on stage 3 and, yes, the time trial on stage 6, are the two stages where the race will be won.

“But it could be lost on some other days,” Morton said. “Stage 1 should be pretty straightforward, the final stage in Sacramento should be pretty straightforward, but there’s always the wind on some other stages or tricky little climbs near the end of stages. No one is talking about the Laguna Seca stage — after a long day, the racing will be aggressive and you’ll see some big separations there at the finish. But I like that, because I see it as more opportunities. This year they’ve picked a route where it’s going to be a fight right until the end. I’m looking forward to it.”

The laid back …

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