Stage 3: Canberra to Corin Dam to Hell and Back: 138km

Stage 3 was by far the toughest stage of the tour, and the bunch was a little weary after two hard days in the saddle. It was a perfect morning and the team was in good spirits. Michael felt a little sore after his heroics in stage 2. Aidan, Dave and Ben were chillin’ and John had the best legs he’d had all tour. After conceding only 29 seconds on the “3 Sisters” climb to the finish of stage 2, he had put the horrors of stage 1 behind him and was looking forward to another solid day.

It wasn’t long before the pace was on. A break went, however Virgin-Blue had other ideas. After the climb out of Uriarra, where Michael tested the legs on the front, the pace was cookin’ and the break was shut down. Another break formed on the gentle ascent of Mt McDonald. Michael and John were well poised at the head of the bunch and took a chance here, bridging to the break. After hammering down the steep and winding descent of Mt McDonald, the break was reeled in. As expected, with a number of strong riders looming within minutes of the yellow jersey, nothing was going to be let down the road.

The first KOM of the day was at the top of the insidious Pierces Creek Hill – a 2km wall. John managed to get over the top with the front group, but only after turning himself inside-out! While the pressure was certainly on for the KOM points, the lead group eased off and things came together again. As the race progressed, the focus was now on staying towards the front of the bunch and looking after John. Michael and Dave were up there doing a stellar job.

A scenic loop of the Tidbinbilla Tracking Station was about the only pleasantry of the day, and an almost sick gesture by the race committee ahead of what the riders were soon to encounter – the 8km climb to Corin Dam. Following the feed zone debacle (the feed was disallowed at it’s intended spot), John had to fight his way back to the head of the peleton along the foothills of the Corin Dam climb. As soon as the climb began, the peleton shattered. John managed to stay in touch with the front group of climbers for the first half of the climb before gradually losing contact. A post race review of the power file revealed a power output ranging from 480 – 540 watts over the first 4km of the climb! Fortunately Michael came to the rescue, powering up to John who was floundering in no-man’s land ahead of the chase group. Aidan was still in touch, and sadly this was the last the team would see of Dave and Ben. Job well done.

Working well together, Michael and John were able to limit their losses on the climb. After a furious descent and ensuing chase, the gap to the lead group was again closed. Fast forward to the penultimate climb – the long, winding ascent of Mt McDonald. This was where Michael waved good-bye after a brilliant day in the saddle. Aidan and John were able to sustain the pace for the majority of the climb before again the climbing elite detatched themselves. Now getting to the business end of the race, most of the pursuing group were reluctant to work to contact the leaders on the road. John took the reins and drove hard, chopping turns with Aidan and a couple of others to close the gap.

Less than 10km to go and the remaining group passed over the Uriarra crossing and hit the “3 Sisters” climb to the finish. All hell broke loose. John and Aidan lost 1:04.