With rain falling for part of the day, competitors enjoyed cooler conditions along the coastal tracks.

Plaxton finished 33 seconds ahead of Paul van der Ploeg in the Zeehan Spray Tunnel time trial in the morning, with Sid Taberlay third.

It was in the 15-kilometre afternoon stage, from Trail Harbour to Granville Harbour, that tactics came into play among the leading group of men.

Josh Carslon, of New South Wales, led the group out on the steep climb from Trial Harbour.

Taberlay and van der Ploeg closed the gap after the first few kilometres, with the group then preventing any breakaways by Taberlay.

While the group kept Taberlay in check, they allowed Canadian champion Plaxton to break away.

Plaxton maintained his lead to the end, winning in a time of one hour and 40 seconds, with Taberlay finishing just 20 seconds behind.

Van der Ploeg could not match the pace of the leaders, finishing third, 27 seconds behind Taberlay.

Victorian Jenni King again dominated the women's race, finishing the Trail Harbour stage in one hour and 20 minutes, three minutes ahead of Jessica Douglas, also of Victoria.

The final race stage will be along Ocean Beach today.

With such close riding between the top men, the final result is still open.

Taberlay will head into the final day with an overall time of 4:57.48, with van der Ploeg second in 4:59.13 and Plaxton third in 4:59.58.