Richie Porte remains in contention midway through his first race back since the coronavirus shutdown.
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The Launceston 35-year-old is sitting back in 42nd place in La Route d'Occitanie, but with bunch finishes to both opening stages is among a group of 77 riders just 16 seconds off the lead.
Porte and Dutchman Bauke Mollema are leading the Trek-Segafredo charge at the four-stage race in southern France.
The 163-kilometre third stage to the Col de Beyrède should shake things up as it features three category-one climbs and a mountain-top finish ahead of a more level final 195km stage into the village of Rocamadour.
Porte's teammate Will Clarke, also 35, of Campbell Town, finished 115th on stage two to drop to 127th overall.
The race marks a long-awaited return to competition for both Tasmanians.
Spain-based Clarke spent almost exactly six months without racing following the abandonment of the UAE Tour in February. Porte's last race was Paris-Nice in March.
Both riders are out of contract at the end of the year.