Sam Witmitz (Budget Forklifts) got a big chance to test himself against the top level sprinters on the second stage of the Herald Sun Tour but despite finishing an impressive third behind renowned riders Caleb Ewan and Steele von Hoff, he left the stage with mixed emotions. He both regretted having been involved in a tangle with friend Brenton Jones (Drapac) who crashed hard and losing an opportunity to do even better.

"We don't like to see crashes in sprint finishes because the amount of damage to the body is probably where it's at its highest due to the speeds," Witmitz said at the finish. "I was involved in the crash with Brenton as I was coming from a long way back and because I was coming quicker and hard against the fence, Brenton was slowly dying towards the line and by the time I got through it was too late.

"I think he actually clipped his handlebars on my knee as I came past which flipped him. It's devastating as me and Brenton are good mates. You don't want to see anyone crash, let alone your mate so hopefully a speedy recovery for him.

"I think the saying is 'you're not a real bike rider until you've crashed three times' and we all know what it's like [to crash] and I really feel for him. I'm happy that I am in one piece but hopefully he's not too bad and can line up tomorrow. I think it's going to be another sprint stage into Nagambie so all the best to him.

"I am actually a bit devastated as I was in a really good position before the U-turn and I sort of got bumped out and didn't start the sprint until about twelfth wheel and I was coming home so much faster than everyone else but that's sprinting.

"I've always envied the mountain climbers because you're either good or you're not. In sprinting, there are so many variable and a lot of luck involved. I didn't have a whole lot of luck today but its great to be on the podium but we'll reassess and sit down and nut down another plan tomorrow that will see us on the top step of the podium."