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The Final Countdown

The busy roads of Victoria are a big problem to the organisers and they often have to change the route of a stage in order to avoid heavy traffic and traffic lights. Today's stage was a good example of that. The organisers have learned a lot in the past stages, so today they've decided to redirect the runners onto by-ways, where the traffic is bearable.

The concequences of the long and straining run can be seen in all the injuries, that are really getting to the competitors, and it's no wonder that Karen, the masseuse who joined the group recently, has a lot of work. The runners are very grateful to her and at the same time sorry that she came this late in the competition. Karen has a very busy schedule, being among the top ten masseuses in the country and collaborating with more than 10 national teams. She was also in the group of people, who took care of the athlets at the recent Olympics. In the afternoon, after they have run the stage, the competitos visit her as if she were a priest and "confess" all their problems. She always knows how to work those skillful hands to relax the muscles and ease the pain. Kaname Sakurai is at the moment her most loyar visitor since his back is in a very bad shape. Audley's, Francis's and Molnar's muscles are very thankful to her experienced hands too, and, after their massage, they're walking around like ballet dancers.

There were no surprises on today's stage except the changing of the weather conditions. Summer is tourning into autumn and the air is cooling down. Mornings are often foggy and chilly, and only when the sun breaks through the clouds can the runners take their warm clothes off. Kruglikov ran outstandingly well again and beat second-placed Derxen by unbelievable 51 minutes. Schwerk was third again and Dusan Mravlje was in his usual fourth place. Dusan was in the finish most curious about how far behind him was Kaname Sakurai. The Japanese is obviously recovering since he managed to come up with a strong finish and crossed the finish line only seven minutes behind Dusan. The next few days will be decisive in this struggle for third place. Mick Francis and Mihaly Molnar finished close to each other in fifth and sixth place. Although Mick is testing Mihaly's strenght, the Hungarian doesn't allow the Australian to make up any tangible time. Bobby Brown and George Audley-the Flying Fossil are also both still in good form. Paul Audley seemes to have recovered after yesterday's last place, although he did have some problems with his digestion."I have some sort of problem every day, but I'm not giving up. Canberra, here I come!" said the tough Australian.

Yesterday's blood tests showed that Georgs Jermolajevs' blood lacks iron so the Latvian had to run a little more carefully and finished in last position, 45 minutes behind the German trio, Kobus, Schieke and Schlett. The runners will tomorrow once again run on by-ways, away from the dangerous main roads, and will finish the stage in the city of Sale.

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