Kyle Ward takes another stage win on a slippery stage three

Riders returned to Xanadu Winery this morning, for the third stage of the 2015 Cape to Cape. There was much talk from the previous night, as those who attended the Sundown Shootout got to see the locals, invited riders, the highest ranked elite racers, and UK/US import Ricky Compton take to the course in the pines.

There was a bit of practice at the Shootout, before the locals took on the jump line. After that, Paul van der Ploeg demonstrated why hard and fast racing is his specialty, with an exceptionally loose line to take the win ahead of Kyle Ward. Peta Mullens posted the fastest ladies time ahead of Imogen Smith.

Today’s racing started with a neutral roll through town – although it was pretty slow, it was amazing to see everyone line the main street of Margaret River and cheer us all on. Big crowds of spectators at Australian mountain bike races aren’t common, and this is the biggest I have experienced. Some riders high-fived those at the side of the road – others focused on the impending race start.

Off the road and under a banner, we had a rolling start, with a surge as we turned hard left into doubletrack. The field was soon strung out, with small splits occuring on the first climb. With two days of hard racing already in the legs, it was easy to see who had just gone guns out the first two days, and who was smart enough to remember there were four days in the race. I was in the first group.

Today had some of the best singletrack in the race. Actually, it had heaps of it. From natrual bush singletrack to the infamous pines, we were following the thin brown line up hills, around trees, through the undergrowth, and down through forests. It was fantastic!

The circuitous nature of the course meant that you could see riders infront, behind, next to you… but who was where? The best thing you could do was to flow through and ride as fast as you could. The drizzle kept the roots slippery, and the pea gravel added to it. It was a whole lot of fun.

At the front of the race, Kyle Ward and Mark Tupalski were racing with Craig Cooke, Paul van der Ploeg, Russell Nankervis and Nick Morgan. The final run in saw Ward and Tupalski get away from the rest, and Ward pipped Tupalski to take the stage win. He now sits less than 30 seconds behind Tupalski before the final stage.

Peta Mullens rode another strong race, finishing first in Elite women, with Imogen Smith behind in 2nd and Marie-Claude Baars the third woman over the line. Full results are online.

Finishing at the Colonial Brewery was a treat. Although the drizzle still blew in and out, there was ample room to sit, get a beer, order a pizza and chips, and watch the world go by.

Tomorrow’s final stage is 64km, and looks set to be the decider in the men’s GC.