Jan 29th, 10. Today's 164 km Stage 3 return ride from Masterton to Pahiatua is expected to be fast and furious given the nature of the top of the General Classification at the Trust House Cycle Classic.

Torckler prepares for today's action ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Kiwi Michael Torckler (Cardno Team) leads the five stage tour with a five second lead over Australian Lachlan Norris (Drapac Porsche) whlle the rest of the GC are strung out from 1m46s behind.

According to race director Jorge Sandoval the tour isn't won yet. He expects the experienced Australian teams to work hard and smart to move higher up the podium.

Today's stage doesn't have the tough climbs of the first two stages but it's not flat either with rolling hills throughout the long stage.

George Bennett, one of the Cardno riders defending their yellow jersey, is looking forward to whatever the peloton throws at his team.

"We are a strong team, we know each other really well and we are ready," he told RoadCycling.co.nz at today's sign-in.

Besides Torckler, Cardno Team have Bennett in 9th place and Aaron Strong in 10th both a little over 2m30s behind their leader.

Bennett and McCauley fix their race number positions ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Westley Gough, whose Solway Team is expected to be one of today's aggressors, said his team is also ready. Solway have two riders in the Top 10 with Heath Blackgrove +1m52s in 4th and Jeremy Yates +2m28s in 7th.

Gough expects the pace to be on from the start with so many teams motivated to get in a winning break.

Subway Avanti are further down in the General Classification and arguably have less to lose by risking an early break today. However, their most experienced rider Gordon McCauley says the course isn't conducive to easy break opportunities.

For the first time since they launched late last year Bici Vida are not at the top end of the action with this all Under23 team showing fatigue after an incredibly busy season.

Their GC rider Tom Findlay finished his tour before the race ended yesterday and Taylor Gunman said the rest of the team are knackered too.

"After this tour I will have raced 15 days this month," he said.

That's a lot of days for any team, especially considering Bici Vida have been attacking or defending the front of the peloton most of those days.

Luckily they have a rest planned after this tour, but they have three more stages to get through yet.

A weary Team Bici Vida ©RoadCycling.co.nz

And they're off .... ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Related articles on the Trust House Cycle Classic

• Full results
• Team lists
• Torckler crowned Trust House Tour Champion
• Fast paced stage sets Torckler up for final tour defence
• Sprint Ace wins stage but Kiwi retains yellow
• Attacks expected in Trust House tour today
• Torckler gives Kiwis something to cheer about
• From Tour Down Under to Wellington tour
• Defending champion stakes his claim
• Summit fun on Rimutaka Hill
• Five NZ champions for Trust House tour
• Kiwi Aussie showdown looming
• Defending champion back for Trust House tour

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