Two crashes, kangaroos, koalas and a powerful finish were all a part of Stage 3 of Jayco Herald Sun Tour. Drapac’s Adam Phelan immediately jumped at the start, with five other riders. The breakaway rolled out to over three minutes and then splintered apart leaving Phelan and Cameron Bayly (serach2retain/health.com.au) alone at the front. As the duo was caught at 4km to go, a small crash ensued. William Clarke launched an attack 700 meters from the finish hoping to break some of the sprinters and crossed the line for 5th.

“I gave it a go. I knew I had to go early with the quality of sprinters in the bunch. I am looking forward to tomorrow,” Clarke said.

Phelan earned the Subaru Most Aggressive Jersey after spending the entire day off the front.

“We went pretty much at the gun, and everyone worked really well together. I felt strong all day and it was good to be up there,” Phelan said.

“We had quite a good group and we knew we just had to lay it down if we wanted to stay away. It [the gap] was rapidly coming down but all the boys really committed. Just at the end there I thought I would give it one last dig but I couldn’t pull it off.”
 

“All in all, a good day out for Drapac. Adam Phelan was in a break all day only to be caught in the last 4kms with Will Clarke taking a flyer with 700 meters to go. He was caught 50 meters from the line to finish 5th upright after Jones finishing 5th yesterday sideways,” said Agostino Giramondo, Sports Director.

Lachlan Norris was involved in a fall with Simon Clarke at the base of the 1st KOM, remounted and was soon back in the peloton.

“Norris came back in the group rather quickly and lucky no damage. Tomorrow is do or die for the team and Norris as we tackle Arthurs Seat. It will be fast and we are ready for that,” Giramondo said.

Norris sits in 5th in the General Classification and knows that this final stage will be the deciding factor and one must be prepared for not just the final climbs but the entire rolling stage.

“It’s go time tomorrow and it will be on from the gun. It’s a tough course even before the climb and I know this.” Norris said. “I have based training around this stage and look forward to it.”

“He’ll love Arthurs Seat,” Phelan said of his teammate. “It’s going to be very competitive tomorrow. Cam Meyer’s going to be very hard to beat but there’s a lot of guys up there. It’s going to be an interesting race."

“I think he’s [Norris] got the legs to definitely jump some people,” he continued. “Whether he can catch Meyer out who knows but we’ll give it a go.”
 

Through rolling hills, wineries & vineyards, national parks, past coastal views and the unique villages of the Peninsula, this deciding final stage will determine the tour champion. With the stage finishing with three climbs of the tough Arthurs Seat Road back in the tour this year, there is no doubt the road will be packed with cycling fanatics and the energy will be high.