Stage 3 was always going to be a big day in the saddle for the riders as it was the longest stage and had a lot of climbing along the out-and-back route. My plan was to head out with the Open men to the top of the big climb and then follow the thirties men for the remainder of the race. Due to the size of the climb and the fast pace it seemed like the whole race was blown apart and riders from different categories were all mixed together. I ended up staying in one spot for too long and was worried I wouldn’t get to the front of the thirties category before the turn around. Luckily, the turn around was a lot further than I remembered and with the skills of my moto driver ‘Valentino’ we caught up. It was very apparent that due to the undulating course – and ever-present heat – that there was alot of suffering going on across the numerous small groups that had spread out around the entire route around the resevoir.
The pace was high to the bottom of the big climb.
It wasn’t long before the climbers came to the fore.
The Women gave a lot of men a run for their money.
How to corner at speed while descending.
How not to corner at speed while descending.
The road around the reservoir, hilly and very hot!
The front of the thirties at the turn around.
by shep