The Torq-Merida Orange Armada strike again
Day two of the Port to Port MTB race took riders to Lindemans Winery - but the focus was on tight racing.
Stage two of the Port to Port MTB took off from Lindeman’s Winery in the magnificent Hunter Valley this morning under a blanket of light rain and cloud. Just like on stage one, it was a case of dealing with the strength of the Torq-Merida team.
As riders rolled down the drive way of Lindeman’s the course headed straight up into a relentless climb winding into the Polkobin State Forest, delivering riders scenic views of the wineries below.
From the get go the pressure was on at the pointy end of the field as the elite riders jostled for position and regularly tested each other on the initial climbs via a series of breakaway sprints. TORQ Team Rider Tasman Nankervis and his team mate and Stage 1 Winner Mark Tupalski tested the pack a number of times before a group of eight settled out front at the top of the first climb.
It was here that the yellow jersey wearing Tupalski made a strong move and got off the front of the pack at the beginning of the second climb to the top of the Polkobin Forest. He was joined by his teenage team mate Nankervis and the two then set about putting a gap on the bunch behind.
“We thought if one of us could get out before the second climb we were a chance to get a break,” confirmed Tupalski at the finish line. “The start of the stage was made for us with all the climbing and as it turned out I got off the front and Tasman was able to get over and join me. We were a bit surprised when they could not close us down and it just made us drive harder to the top.”
Tupalski and Nankervis enjoyed a 1 minute 15 second lead over a chasing pack of ten that included defending champion Andy Blair and Trek team mates Peter Hatton, Reece Tucknott, Michael Potter and Kian Lerch-Mackinnon with the infamous 10km Rabbit Hole descent looming ahead.
“We knew we had a good break at the top of the climb so Tupac and I decided to take it easy down the Rabbit Hole as we thought only a mechanical could stop us at this stage,” revealed Nankervis. “We got to the bottom and out through Cedar Creek but we saw the pack coming down the road and we knew we had to get back on it.”
The chasing pack took 45 seconds off the gap down the Rabbit Hole as they took the necessary risks to reel in the breakaway. “The pack just let it go down there,” said Tucknott. “It was flat out and every big turn we were all leaning in and hanging on and hoping for some grip. We got to the creek at the bottom and decided before that we would all run through but I got caught in the wrong gear on the way out and lost the group.”
As riders left Cedar Creek, Tucknott soon caught back on to the chasing bunch but Tupalski and Nankervis kept their 30 second gap through Millfield as the local Primary School lined the roads to high five and cheer on the leading riders. With the finishing climbs over Mount View ahead, the chasing pack had high hopes of reeling in the Torq leaders.
The Mount View climb winds up through the countryside past green, grassy farmland as it claws back up onto the ridge overlooking the Hunter Valley vineyard region. It was here that Nankervis did a power of work to protect Tupalski and his yellow Jersey. The two worked hard in tandem increasing the gap to 50 seconds half way into the climb before then putting the chasing bunch to the sword on the final ascent.
Crossing the finish line a wheel behind his team mate, Tupalski praised Nankervis’s ride, “Taz is an absolute weapon, it was awesome to ride out there with him today. He is the silent assassin, he never says much, but just lets his legs do all the talking!”
After yesterday’s close finish between Swell Specialized rider Jenny Blair and 4Shaw Duece rider Rebecca Locke, Blair was more determined than ever to gain some time back. The defending Port to Port MTB champion and Cross Country Marathon Championship holder found her groove early on, keeping with the lead males and reaching the top of the Polkobin Forest in the top fifteen overall. She then managed to hold on for the remainder of the stage crossing the finish line a full 7 minutes and 17 seconds ahead of Locke. It is expected that Blair will race in this evening’s Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley Shootout with a little more ease with no overall threat to her lead.
Whilst he conceded today’s stage win to his Torq team mate, Tupalski’s one minutes and 48 second overall lead guarantees him tomorrow’s yellow jersey, even after this afternoon’s Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley Shootout which awards the winner a one minute time credit.
The Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley Shootout sees the top 5 female riders and top 25 male riders fight it out for overall time credits through a 2.5km course filled with jumps and grassy berms that skirts the outside of the stunning golf course.
Saturday’s Stage Three begins and finishes at Cooranbong Park, with the highlight set to be the 13km flowing single tracks of Awaba MTB Park.
