January 19 - Stage 3: Stirling - Victor Harbor, 128km
As I predicted, the break was going to go early, but it went much earlier than even I expected. I think my teammate Christophe attacked first and the break just rode away. I was a little disappointed that I didn't make it today, because I had good legs. I tried to get across a few times but got brought back. One time I got away with Robbie Hunter who was going crazy through the corners, so I backed off, and two corners later he was on the deck!
But it wasn't too uncomfortable today, especially compared to last year when it was 45 degrees! We could complain but we all knew it could have been worse.
The hotel here is really good and the food is nice. Last night I ate out with my family. That's the best part about this race for us Aussies, we can get our family down to watch and enjoy the comforts of home. I like the coffee down here, though it probably isn't as good as say Italy, but you can't beat a good Australian steak and I haven't seen kangaroo on the menus in France!
Tomorrow I will be taking it real easy. I can't see it being a sprint finish with the Hill 15km from the finish. I'll put all my eggs in one basket, leaving it for Sunday and hope I am faster than McEwen, Hunter, Cookie and all those guys. Cookie looked pretty good today, but at the Open Road Championships he looked good, so it wasn't a surprise he won today.
Catchya tomorrow,
Mark
