BENDIGO cyclist Jack Haig has capped the biggest achievement of his road racing career.
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Haig stood on the podium as third overall and Best Young Rider after Sunday's finale to the Jayco Herald-Sun Tour was called off.
It was mixed emotions for Haig and those who believed they could climb the Tour standings leading into the 124km duel at Arthurs Seat.
The extreme heat and fire risk meant Victoria Police and organisers decided the fourth and final leg of the classic would not be contested.
Haig was 11 seconds behind tour leader and Orica-GreenEDGE star Simon Clarke going into the last leg.
Although there were no fires at Arthurs Seat, fire crews from the Mornington Peninsula area had been deployed to blazes across the state.
"It was disappointing the stage was not contested, but I totally understand why it was called off," the Avanti team member said.
He jumped to third in the standings after Friday's leg from Ballarat to Bendigo.
Clarke led Cameron Wurf by eight seconds and Haig by 11 after Saturday's duel from Mitchelton Winery to Nagambie.
Eaglehawk's Glenn O'Shea was eighth in the Tour's final standings at -1.23 behind Clarke.
Drapac Pro Cycling team-mates, Lachlan Norris from Barkers Creek and Darren Lapthorne from Bendigo were 14th and 17th.