As the race hits the halfway mark, Kennedy will look to defend via attack on Stage Three. 

The former Mountains classification winner will have to put any polka dot dreams on hold, with double points for the Boonenberg taking backseat to his defense of the maillot jaune. With second through sixth place all within two minutes and the Queen Stage looming, Ryan “Mr. President” Kennedy will play defense…unless an opportunity to take time presents itself. With teammate Luke Tjosvold not a sure bet to start, Kennedy may be alone against the other contenders for the remainder.

The tightly packed GC field may actually work to Kennedy’s advantage, as they may try to defend their positions and chase down attacks. Even riders likes fifth placed Kyle Macdermaid and sixth placed Garret Jenema are still a threat at 1:29 and 1:37 down, respectively, and if they go off the front, it’ll put the hair up on everyone’s neck in the lead group.

Braiden Voss isn’t out of it yet either, and at 1:07 down is the most dangerous rider heading into Stage Three. John O’Hearn now third, needs to pick up a few seconds to Kennedy and hope for a huge night and a bit of a coalition on next week’s 23 mile Queen Stage finale.

Rob Frank is ensconced in the Best Old Rider classification, four minutes up on Steve “Love Is A” Lagerquist. With double points on the Mountains classification, Voss will perhaps try to use the Boonenberg as his launch pad and defend his six point lead there. It’s a relative day of quiet in the Points classification, with Cody Sovis six points up on Kennedy after two stages and last week’s double points stage. Heidi Schwab will skip the stage and end the women’s GC race, opting to test her legs at MTB Nationals. Good luck!

You can see the full Tour Competition situation here.

SOL, miniSOL and Junior SOL BUST from Bunker Hill at 6:45pm. Be there.