Fellows, Mauch win dawn raid stage

The dawn raid on day 3 covered 26km of Lakeside tracks and trails around Lake Eucumbene at Buckenderra Resort. The first lap was completed in darkness with the lead riders providing a guiding light to those following. On the second loop, a spectacular sunrise greeted the riders with light clouds and an even lighter mist hanging over the lake waters. At race end, all enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before cruising the 40 km to Cooma.

Andrew Fellows came in five minutes and 24 seconds ahead of nearest rival Bart Hickson in a time of 1:10:06. Hickson edged out masters rider David Harris by one minute and 22 seconds with a time of 1:15:30, with Harris riding a competitive 1:16:52.

While today's win doesn't change the overall placings, Fellows' stage win sees him increase his lead on Garry James to 40 minutes and 35 seconds, with Hickson a further five minutes and 53 seconds behind.

Fellows' overall time for the 206km covered to date is 6:21:45; James has taken 7:02:31 with Hickson completing the distance in 7:08:14.

The women's overall category is very tightly contested. Bianca Mauch won today's race stage in a time of 1:29:26, just 11 seconds ahead of Belinda Porter (1:29:37). Meg Carrigan came in 56 seconds later with a time of 1:30:33

This morning's third placed Carrigan lost time to Porter. Carrigan's overall time is 8:21:24 with Porter only 14 minutes and 58 seconds behind on 8:36:22. Mauch is third overall with a time of 8:46:36, 10 minutes 15 seconds behind.

After today's early start, riders had a half day to relax and recharge their batteries in Cooma in preparation for the 89km tomorrow. That's when racers will leave the relative cool of the mountains and head down, down, down the escarpment to Yowrie, through some of the best temperate forest the area has to offer.

Not all goes down, though, with the big test being to see who can be the first Mountains To Beach rider to stay on all the way up the incredibly steep Numeralla Mountain. A feat not yet achieved in the previous two Mountains To Beach events. From Yowrie it will be a 41km cruise stage to Bermagui where riders will spend the night, ahead of Friday's ride up the coast.

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