On the back of being named as King of the Mountain on the Tour Down Under, Lea was set for his first ride on the Sun Tour.

Lea – racing for Team BridgeLane – finished the Sun Tour in 23rd position, 15 minutes and 47 seconds behind overall winner Dylan Van Baarle.

The Sun Tour was comprised of five stages, which included a mixture of circuit and road legs.

Stage One: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit

Result: 25th (+4 seconds off lead)

“As it was a race track the surface was excellent quality, such a strong flowing circuit where we were able to hold high speeds,” Lea said.

“Everyone stayed quite close to the front of the pack in case anyone tried to split from the bunch.

“The stage ended with a bunch sprint.”

Stage Two: Wonthaggi-Churchill

Result: 56th (+10 mins 34 seconds off lead)

“There were even stronger winds than the first day and there was a crash half way through the stage,” Lea said.

The first part of the stage was relatively flat, but as the riders headed inland from the coast they encountered many hills throughout south Gippsland.

Stage Three: Sale-Warragul

Result: 35th (+1 min 19 seconds off lead)

“We had to battle more windy conditions and there was another crash at the start of this stage,” Lea said.

“There was a strong break from the pack which included Team BridgeLane rider Neil Van Der Ploeg and a few of the Team Sky riders.

“All the competitors had to chase hard throughout majority of the stage.”

Stage Four: Cape Schanck-Arthurs Seat

Result: 14th (+3 mins 35 seconds off lead)

“This stage certainly didn’t disappoint, it was a very hard start from Cape Schanck,” Lea said.

“It was one of the warmest days we had on the Sun Tour and there was a small fire burning at the base of Arthurs Seat, but we kept racing.”

Stage Five: Melbourne CBD

Result: 46th (+ 1 min 46 seconds off lead)

“This stage was relatively short in comparison to the other stages as it was a high intensity circuit race,” Lea said.

“One of the aims for the final stage was to help protect teammates.”

Final Result: 23rd position, 15 minutes and 47 seconds off lead.

“It was the first time that I had competed in the Sun Tour and it didn’t disappoint,” Lea said.

“To be able to ride around on Victorian roads for a change was truly great, especially as I was slightly nervous coming into the race as I was sick in the week between the Tour Down Under and the Sun Tour.

“I really didn't know where my form would be at.

“However, it was a strong week where I was able to support the other guys and we came off with some top results.”

Lea will now start preparations for the Tour de Taiwan in March, where he will race again with Team BridgeLane.

READ MORE: Jason Lea claims King of the Mountain Crown

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