Stage 3: The battle of Stirling 2011 By Simon Cadzow

Matt Goss HTC completely knackered and not realizing that he had to appear anyway to receive 2 other jerseys as well

It’s funny. I watched the peloton ride across a grass oval, up a dirt road and begin the descent recovery ride back to Adelaide. No-one punctured.

That’s bike racing.

The 3^rd stage of the Santos Tour Down Under 2011 started in ideal weather minus 2 riders (CJ of Sky - knee, and Bernie from Uni SA - collarbone) and carrying some riding wounded. Tyler Farrar Garmin-Cervelo however wasn’t one of those guys and was in good spirits.

“Right now back home it’s snowing.” So would you be back home if you weren’t here? “No, I’d be at a training camp in Spain.”

Niki Sorenson Saxo Bank Sungard liked the Danish champion’s kit, ‘best in the peloton.’

And Andre Greipel Omega Pharma-Lotto reckoned himself a chance for first across the line.

“Yeah, I have a chance.” Oh and by the way, “I like the Omega Pharma-Lotto kit, especially on my teammates from behind.” Something tells me this guy is focused. He’s also huge. With a 28-inch waist.

The peloton rolled out from Unley on pave (Paris-Roubaix eat your heart out) and headed up the Southern Expressway headed the long-way-round for Stirling and 2 laps of dare I say ‘picturesque’, extremely hard racing, to the finish line.

Pop quiz: What happens next? Oh yeah guys attack!!

Specifically: Aleksandr Kuschynski Katusha, Luis Pasamaontes Movistar, Thomas de Gendt Vacansoleil-DCM and  Luke Durbirdge Uni SA.

At the Jayco intermediate sprint at McLaren Flat, they were 2min50sec ahead.

Kuschynski 1^st, de Gendt 2^nd with Durbridge 3^rd. One down.

The hammer in the break went down OR did the peloton slow up a bit, (this is still in contention). The lead stretched out to around 5 min before the ‘reel in’ tempo was set.

Echunga. 2^nd intermediate sprint. Kuschynski 1^st, de Gendt 2^nd (are you detecting a pattern) with Pasamaontes 3^rd.

Then comes the hill - oops ‘mountain’. Luke Roberts Uni SA, from SA, is wearing the KOM jersey so here come some tactics folks! Turbo Durbo Ignite; prevent other teams from getting max points and gaining on Luke R. Sacrifice buddy. Take the hit for the team. 

And Durbridge gladly attacked up Germantown Hill KOM to claim max points. This guy is great and a most aggressive jersey waiting at day’s end!

The break crossed the line in Stirling to begin the 2 laps of the 22km course. 3 guys leapt off the front of the field to chase them. Tim Roe BMC attacking in like form to yesterday.

But by the time the race returned to the arch to get the bell for one lap remaining (they covered lap 1 in around 29 min I think) the peloton had cranked up the pace and it had all come back together.

Along the way Robbie McEwan Radioshack in the leaders Ochre jersey had punctured with around 30km to go. (Don’t panic; All good, he got back in.)

But with 10km to go...Goss punctured. Quick change please, not likely, back wheel not going in. Enter spare bike and a massive run by Bernie Eisel and Hayden Roulsten to get back.

Here is HTC telling you how it is...From the back, back to the front. The back of the front 3 anyway. Goss gets 3^rd. Pretty incredible.

OPL ready to propel Andre – remember he ‘has a chance’ but...

"I am just upset because I couldn't do my sprint like I wanted to. The lead up guys boxed me in and I was next to the barrier and I couldn't launch my sprint, so it is upsetting for the team."... “I’m disappointed.” By the way he wasn’t even sweating at the finish and he didn’t look tired either, just annoyed. And focused - race isn’t over yet, 3 stages to go and believe me He wants to win.

2^nd place in the stage and now 2^nd overall...

 And here is Rabobank also telling you how it is...courtesy of an amazing  Michael ‘William Wallace’ Matthews victory trance-dance over the line. Check the photos/see the video.

"In the last three or four kilometres Tom Leezer Rabobank just led me to the front, I was sitting at fiftieth wheel at the back and he brought me straight to the front and put me in a great position for the sprint.”

1st for Michael Matthews Rabobank Stirling 2011: Victory over the peloton.

 “I had the legs in the end, I guess”... "This is probably one of the most difficult stages I've ridden and one of the most difficult in this tour. It's really great to win this one and thanks to my team.”

Halfway mark is reached.

Teams have tasted success and disappointment. There have been individual efforts and team contributions. This is bike racing.

Matt Goss is in Ochre, the Sprint King and best young gun – back to 3 jerseys, Luke Roberts holds the KOM better than the ‘Rats held onto Tobruk’, Luke Durbridge is most aggressive even though he is the nicest guy and SKY still are the best team despite losing CJ.

 Did anyone notice that the NICE guys in the peloton are wearing the jerseys, and that they’re Aussies??? WWT...

Tomorrow is stage 4; Norwood to Strathalbyn. Things are heating up and as such Cav was collecting water today for the team. If he can do that for his team...when he’s knackered...