Stage Three was touted by race organizers as a day right out of the Tour de France because it included the first long climb of the Tour. Riders began in Warragul and traveled 137 km through farmland and forests to Marysville.
According to Jelly Belly rider Nick Reistad, the day was as long as it was exciting.
“Lots of attacks went off, with (Brad) Huff in many of them,” he said.
But the ones Huff was in weren’t able to overpower the group and eventually two riders slipped away. But the team still had to protect Bernard Van Ulden.
“The rest of the crew watched out for Bernie as we lead into the climb,” Reistad said. “Unfortunately, Bernie wasn’t able to take any points in the KOM competition, but he made it over the climb in the front group.”
Reistad added that the team felt as if they were in familiar territory today, except for the critters, of course.
“The last climb looked similar to climbs in Northern California, with the large gum and eucalyptus trees providing some shade for us,” he said. “There were a bunch of wombats running around all day, and apparently they can seriously dent a car if you hit one. Speaking of which, one of the team’s soigneur’s hit a koala.”
Some are calling the fourth stage of the tour ‘the moment of truth,’ with a tough 16 km climb up to Mt. Buller and the finish.
“Tomorrow we are ready to be on the attack before the climb up to Mt. Buller,” Reistad said. “That will lead us into the time trial and the final stage.”
By Molly Saunders
PR Jelly Belly Cycling Team