Sprint Ace wins the stage but Kiwi retains yellow

Jan 29th, 10. Fly V Australia's Jay Thompson flew across the finish line to win Stage 3 of the Trust House Cycle Classic.  Kiwi Michael  Torckler retained the yellow jersey.

Thompson celebrates the win ©RoadCycling.co.nz

It was Sprint Ace Jay Thompson who took line honours with a shout and a punch in the air.

"I was extremely happy to win after yesterday's disappointment of being dropped on the final climb.  I put a lot into the break today and managed to stay away. I'm really, really, happy," the South African said.

The white jersey's U23 leader, Michael Matthews (Jayco Skins Team) was 2nd with Kiwi Jeremy Yates (Solway Team) finishing in 3rd. (Full results ...)

Kiwi Michael Torckler and this Cardno Team did a great chase to ensure Torckler retained his yellow jersey for tomorrow's penultimate day.

The stage's key break occurred on the way out to Pahiatua where Thompson, Matthews, Yates, Westley Gough (Solway), Scott Lyttle (Solway), Gordon McCauley (Subway Avanti), Taylor Gunman (Bici Vida) and Joseph Lewis (Drapac Porsche) worked their way up to a maximum time gap of 3m30s.

Yates, who started the stage in 7th place wasn't in the break originally but bridged to his two teammates, as was his Solway team's plan.

"I've been trying all tour to get in breakaways. It was pretty difficult though, the break had already been established and when I had a go I'd left it a little too late.  I ended up chasing with one other Australian rider for about 10kms," he said.

Yates was hampered by the speed of the breakaway and by his teammates not knowing he was on his way up.

"Under normal circumstances you'd radio ahead and say wait up for me, but without radios in this race it made things a little difficult. I was pretty much chasing teammates for awhile but I managed to get up there and join them."  

Yates said today was harder than yesterday as everyone was trying to get in a break.

"It was like we were in a criterium.  We were sprinting to start with. For the first 65km we were going hammer and tong waiting for something to settle down," said Yates who was disappointed to only walk away with 3rd considering his team had three riders in the small break.

Yates congratulates Thompson after crossing the line in 3rd ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Today's podium (l-r) Yates, Thompson, Matthews ©RoadCycling.co.nz

While not having a race radio hampered Yates, it wouldn't have helped McCauley who fell off the break with an untimely puncture.  His Subway Avanti team then rode strongly off the front of the peloton to try and chase back the leaders.

Subway Avanti's pull gave Cardno Team a well deserved rest.  They had worked incredibly hard to bring back the break in defence of Torckler's yellow jersey.

A great race by Avery helped Torckler keep yellow ©RoadCycling.co.nz

"We knew how much we could afford to give before we had to chase."

When the peloton turned back towards Masterton they knew they had 80km to reel them in.

"Clinton was a Ducati today. He was on the front going for it," said Lee who is also Avery's personal coach.

"One moment he was getting bottles for the team then we'd look up and he was on the front of the peloton again. When the peloton was going 60km/h Clinton was doing 70km to pass them and get back to the front again."

Lee said although the team dug deep today he hopes they have more in the tank for tomorrow's continued defence.  

"We kind of like this now. The boys are getting more and more confident in their ability. We'll see," he said.

Thompson wins ahead of his breakaway companions with the peloton right behind ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Cardno's Team plan to defend the jersey tomorrow is the same as it was today.

"Not let too many riders get in a break, and pull them back," said Torckler.

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