A decisive and bold move from Sydneysider Ben Dyball on Saturday ensured he enters the Tour of Tasmania’s final stage dressed in yellow.
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Barring a catastrophe, Dyball, 27, is likely to be crowned 2016 champion following Sunday’s final stage in Devonport.
“To move into yellow is just amazing,” The 2011 under-23 Australian road champion said.
“I was aiming to win the stage, but did not think I could take enough time to get the overall lead.”
The Mobius Future Racing rider made a solo attack at the start of a long climb to the Poatina finish line – winning the 103.8-kilometre stage from Launceston in two hours, 38 minute and 11 seconds – about a minute and a half faster than Angus Lyons, of Jayco-John West.
Dyball was ninth overall heading into stage 3, but now leads Chris Hamilton (AIW) by 41 seconds in general classification.
Chris Harper (SWC) is a further 10 seconds back with just a stage 4 criterium to go.
The bold mover finished the 2014 Apple Isle tour in second position and is overjoyed with the prospect of going one better two years on.
“This is the most prestigious tour in the Subaru National Road Series,” Dyball said.
“Ever since I started riding I wanted to win this tour. It is not over until tomorrow, but I am feeling pretty comfortable.”
Satalyst Verve Racing’s Lachlan Norris earned the orange jersey for being the most aggressive rider after spending most of the day in a five-rider break.
Norris managed to build a sizeable lead at one point in the race but a mowed down and overtaken on the climb to Poatina.
“I was hoping to get to the bottom of the climb with a three-minute gap, which I thought would give us a chance,” Norris said.
“We got out to four minutes at one point, but the peloton closed it down very quickly.
“They were really flying and unfortunately we could not hold them off.”
Dyball then struck on the category one ascent and was chased by a small group including yellow jersey wearer Hamilton, Lyons and Harper.
“Ben was too strong,” Lyons said post-race.
“I was chasing with Chris Hamilton and could not get rid of him, so I just sat on and rolled Chris at the end.
“I lost some time yesterday so I was keen to make amends today.”
The 30-lap criterium around Devonport on Sunday starts at 10.30am along Bluff Road.
Results
Stage 3, 1. Ben DYBALL (MBS) 2h38:11, 2. Angus LYONS (VIS) +1:27, 3. Dylan SUNDERLAND (SOM) +1:27, 4. Chris HARPER (SWC) +1:27, 5. Chris HAMILTON (AIW) +1:32
General classification: 1. Ben DYBALL (MBS) 8h03:10, 2. Chris HAMILTON (AIW) +41, 3. Chris HARPER (SWC) +51, 4. Dylan SUNDERLAND (SOM) +57, 5. Robbie HUCKER (AIW) +1:40
Young rider classification: Dylan SUNDERLAND (SOM); Sprint: Chris HAMILTON (AIW); KOM: Matthew CLARK (SVR); Leading team: AVANTI ISOWHEY