Shaw from Ballarat appeared set to finish on the podium behind Will Clark when he became tangled up in a crash at the head of the field in the final sprint.-

Ironically, it was Shaw's first competitive ride back since a fall in the Herald Sun Tour in February.-

His father Dennis Shaw said he had been fortunate to escape serious injury.-

He said Shaw had luckily avoided being thrown into the roadside barriers - sliding across the circuit and through a gap into a side road.-

His bike was a write-off.-

Clarke admitted that racing was not easy on the tight criterium circuit.-

Shaw suffered back and hip injuries in the Herald Sun Tour. and was forced to take several weeks off recuperating and regaining race fitness.-

Shaw is in his first season riding for WA-based Satalyst Giant Racing.-

The tour continues with a 110km road race today.-

Ballarat's Rhys Gillett (African Wildlife Safaris) is 13 seconds off the pace in the opening leg of the National Road Series.

Ballarat teenager Liam White (Woodside) is also making his NRS debut in this tour.