Australia’s sprinting sensation, Robbie McEwen, has thrilled a large crowd at the Salt Resort (NSW) this afternoon by unleashing a copybook last lap chase down to win the 2008 Darren Smith Classic.

The former Tour de France Green Jersey winner eventually won comfortably  from U.S. Speedweek Champion, Jonathan Cantwell and Virgin Blue rider, Mark Ledgerwood.

In bright ,sunny, albeit windy conditions, a small, but classy group of elite riders lined up for the annual criterium race to honour the memory of outstanding Gold Coaster, Darren Smith, who was tragically killed in a road accident in 1992.

“The wind made it incredibly hard” McEwen explained after the race.

“It was breezy this morning, but by race time it was absolutely blowing a gale. It made the race pretty tough. Anyone who attacked came up against it. Riders out in front were literally blown back into the field”.

With no major breaks today the race was always going to come down to a nail-biting sprint finish.

Two riders tried valiantly to stay in front over the last lap, but McEwen led a formidable charge that gathered them up within 50 metres of the finish line.

“I won today more on experience than condition” McEwen told the crowd.

 “I went from down the bottom on the second last turn, and it made the old saying pretty true ..“a smart old bloke will beat a bunch of good young blokes 90% of the time (haha!!)”. 

Robbie McEwen headed straight over to Dennis Smith after the victory and exchanged an emotional embrace. 

McEwen will shortly head to Tasmania for a pre-Christmas Criterium, and then unleash another attack on the Bay Criterium Series and the Tour Down Under.