SKCC’s official men’s NRS team CharterMason Drapac Development Team (CMDDT) will seek to build on the two stage wins the team achieved at the recent Tour of the Murray as they travel south across Bass Strait for the 2013 Tour of Tasmania.

While super sprinter and St Kilda CC member Shannon Johnson will take a well deserved rest (hello hills, goodbye sprinters!), St Kilda CC will still be well represented with 2012 St Kilda CC club champion Andy Naylor joining the team as soigneur and Nick Bensley set to augment the regular riders of the CMDDT squad of Matt Clark, Sammy Crome, Nicholas Katsonis and Jason Spencer. Joining the team again following a powerful performance at the Tour of Murray is Morgan Smith (NZ). Also joining the team is Michael Torckler (NZ), fresh off winning the KOM jersey at the Tour of Utah in the USA, along with Taylor Gunman (NZ) who has come back from racing in Belgium to join the team for Tour of Tasmania.

Leigh Parsons: “We are fielding our strongest line up for the year to date with the specific purpose of chasing a podium on GC. I think we are going to surprise a few of the bigger teams.”

Nick Bensley: “I’m excited to be the first beneficiary of the partnership and natural fit between SKCC and CMDDT. I’m looking forward to contributing to the team next week, with a particular focus on the Mt Wellington TTT as well as helping Matt Clarke capitalise on his significant talent.”

Andy Naylor: “The diverse role of soigneur is even more diverse at NRS level. I really excited about the teams prospects and helping out in any way I can- from massage to helping the young riders focus on the team goals.”

The 2013 Tour of Tasmania kicks off this Sunday with the team time trial up Mt Wellington. Follow the team on:

Twitter @cmddt
Facebook www.facebook.com/CMDDT
Instagram @cmddt
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/CharterMasonTV