Stage 2 - Hunt powers ahead

The weather eased up for stage 2 , 130 km from Hornsby to Swansea and the bunch put on a great show of hard riding over the two category 2 climbs en route.

A small breakaway of six riders formed after the halfway point, and four of these stayed away to win the stage by a minute. Sportscover World's Jeremy Hunt was too good for MROZ rider Piotr Wadecki at the end, with Slovenia's Gorazd Stangelj taking third.

The time bonuses were enough to give yesterday's second place getter, Piotr Wadecki the overall lead and he maintains a seven second gap to Hickson and Hunt coming into the evening's criterium.

Stage 3 - Van Heeswijk equals Sweet's record

The tight course for stage 3 around Newcastle's Hunter Street Mall saw a very aggressive criterium, with several cash sprint prizes being awarded through the course of the race.

It was looking like a bunch finish until 4 laps to go, when Websdale/Mapei rider, Max van Heeswijk rode off the front with Slovenian Uros Murn. The pair held off the bunch to win, with Van Heeswijk taking a record-equalling nine stage victories when he easily beat Murn to the line. It was a Websdale rider in 3rd place as well, with Jan Hordijk winning the field sprint.