Jodie Batchelor

Jodie is the current Victorian Vets Criterium and Road champion in her age group. She has been racing for several years now and likes any event that involves sprinting and not too many hills. She initially used cycling as an important part of her rehabilitation from a mountaineering accident in New Zealand. She then got into racing as a replacement for martial arts in which she represented Australia and won Gold, Silver & Bronze medals in the Martial Arts World Games in 2000.

Well last night was the ITT (individual time trial) and the distance was 29.5km, and as predicted the yellow jersey changed hands.

The stage winner and the new yellow jersey wearer is Stefan Schumacher (Ger) from Gerolsteiner with an average speed of 49.534 km/h.

Cadel finished 4th and is 27seconds from the lead. More importantly he but some distance between himself and other GC rivals; Denis Menchov (Rabobank), Damiano Cunego (Lampre), Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo Bank) and Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne). He put seven seconds into Menchov, around a minute into Cunego and Schleck, and 1'07" on Valverde.

Tonight is a flat stage and the longest at 232km for this year tour. It will be one for the sprinters, and after stage 2 with the breakaway succeeding I think the sprint teams will be more switched on tonight. However those that may have taken it a bit easier in the time trail may choose to hit out on this stage to gain some time before the road gets decidedly hillier tomorrow.

My prediction - watch for Thor Hushovd, Robbie McEwen and Stuart O'Grady.

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