McCauley, Pearson dominate stage 13 of Murray Tour

Australian cyclist Joel Pearson and New Zealand veteran Gordon McCauley were the big winners on the second-last day in the Tour of the Murray River.

McCauley won the tough 13th stage at Cardross on Saturday afternoon as Pearson finished third and moved into the overall lead.

Pearson trailled compatriot Stuart Shaw by seven seconds going into the windswept stage, but now leads him by 11 seconds after gaining sprint bonuses during the race.

Pearson also broke away from Shaw on the last of 12 laps in the 57km stage.

McCauley's win meant he improved to third overall ,only one second behind Shaw, ahead of the last stage on Sunday at Mildura.

At 38, McCauley is the oldest rider in the tour.

"At my age, you've got to see how you pull up after each race, but I'm in with a chance - my team is going great," the Hyster-Total Rush rider said.

McCauley has been a regular competitor in Australia for more than a decade and next month he will compete at his four Commonwealth Games.

He won bronze in the road time trial at the 2006 Games in Australia.

Earlier on Saturday, Canberra rider Thomas Palmer picked up his third stage win of the tour when he took out the Merbein criterium.

- AAP