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October 14, Stage 3: Warrnambool - Apollo Bay 164km

Another Sutton in yellow after 25 years

By:

Cycling News

Published:

October 14, 2009, 06:51,

Updated:

October 15, 2009, 01:55

Second stage win nets Chris Sutton race lead

Photos

Chris Sutton still says his father is not interested enough to come and watch him ride but the younger man took another giant step towards making that and other things more likely with a second stage win in today's leg of the 2009 Jayco Herald Sun Tour, that also delivered him the yellow jersey.

After his Garmin Slipstream team mate, Tom Peterson, looked to have booked a spot in a two man shoot-out with Geelong's Leigh Howard (Jayco AIS) for the honours on the 164km third stage from Warrnambool to Apollo Bay, Sutton was part of a big pack that hunted them down just 100 metres from the line.

"I thought Tom Peterson would win the stage but Fly V kept chasing. I feel a bit sorry for both of them,” said Sutton. “Leigh Howard is a great bike rider and Tom is going really strong at the moment. He was upset he missed the move yesterday and I am sure he is a bit upset today as well. But that is bike racing. We rode a team plan."

Sutton plans of retaining the leader’s jersey through to Melbourne on Saturday in an attempt to complete the first father and son Tour victories, complementing father Gary's 1984 success. He is however aware of that same team plan and of the threats from elsewhere.

"The race is not over yet and let's hope I've still got it on my back tomorrow,” he said. “I know Jonno Cantwell and the rest of Fly V will give us a run for the money. It has been a big 24 hours but we are not getting too excited.

"We're riding for Wiggo and Svein - the three of us can podium but the big dangers are Jonno and Matthew Wilson," Sutton added.

Sutton is clearly in awe of Bradley Wiggins ability and knows the asset that Svein Tuft, a world championships silver medallist at time trial in 2008, is to their team. "Wiggo is like a freight train. I can't describe how fast he goes. Today after Fly V did all the work, which was perfect for us, Trent Lowe took over at the front, and then Bradley and I tagged on.

"We don't really talk that much on the road. We just have a bit of a signal. Wiggo just taps his hand on his rear and I hang on," Sutton explained.

Peterson on the other hand was clearly despondent post race, despite picking up the polka dot jersey for the leader in the King of the Mountains category, two hill climbs, two sprint wins and a few bonus seconds during the day. "I'm speechless. I would have loved to have won it today, but we went with the team," the 2009 Tour of California stage winner said during the presentation ceremony.

The rising star Howard, who won the award for the most aggressive rider on the day was more philosophical but equally frustrated.

"It is a bit unfortunate and I am very disappointed. We went a long way out. At 15k to go we thought we had it and we probably slowed up a bit too much,” the talented 19-year-old said. "And then there was the obvious change of tactics from Garmin. He kept attacking me. I understand why they did it - they won they stage."

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