Chris Wherry (Toyota-United) racked up an impressive win with his solo victory in Friday’s grueling 108-mile Tahoe Road Race, Stage 3 of the Tour de Nez.

Wherry was followed by Aaron Olsen (Saunier Duval) and Michael Carter (Team Einstein’s Cycling), who came in together, roughly three and a half minutes off the pace. Finishing fourth a few minutes later was Jelly Belly’s Alex Candelario (a man more-often known for his sprinting talents than road-racing prowess). Tom Zirbel (Priority Health) rounded out the top five, winning the bunch sprint over what was left of the main field, about 20 riders.

Karl Menzies (Health Net-Maxxis) finished sixth to retain the leader’s jersey over Tony Cruz’s (Toyota-United), who crossed eighth. Candelario leapt into third in the omnium standings with his stellar ride.

The order of the day was suffering as racers battled temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, altitude that ranged from 5800 to almost 7200 feet, and two substantial climbs.

"It was a race of attrition," said Carter.

The course consisted of three 36-mile laps beginning and ending in Tahoe City, California. Racers followed rolling terrain along Lake Tahoe, turned to ascend the decisive 3.5-mile climb over Brockway Pass (7179 feet) where the KOM awaited, descended to the historic town of Truckee, then gradually climbed 13 miles back up to the start-finish line in Tahoe City.

It was a day of surprises that began with long-time race veteran Carter making a solo attack only nine miles into the race, just before the first climb up Brockway; this was the move that dictated the rest of the race.

"I didn’t expect to do this," Carter admitted after the race. "I did it off of experience."

Carter was eventually joined by a group of 11 riders and the dozen built up a lead of almost seven minutes by the time they hit the Brockway climb a second time. With the big teams represented in the break, the field was content not to chase.

The end game played out over the last time up the 3.5-mile grinding ascent. With the break down to five riders — Wherry, Carter, Candelario, Olsen, and Roman Kilun (Health Net-Maxxis) — Wherry made his move, climbing away from the rest and steadily increasing his lead over the chasers until the finish.

Behind him, the chase splintered the remaining foursome, and by the time the racers were halfway up the final climb into Tahoe City, the top four places were set.

Olsen had teamed up with Carter, who had been suffering from terrible cramping since before the last time up Brockway. "I was cramping so bad that the only way I could keep the cramping at bay was to pedal," said Carter.

Candelario was alone behind Olsen and Carter, and Kilun had been reabsorbed by the field.

"Wherry rode exceptionally," noted Olsen at the finish. "He rode a super-smart race. It’s great to see him come back from a rough season so far."

The Tour de Nez wraps up Saturday with a fast, technical, 90-minute criterium in downtown Reno, Nevada.

Tour de Nez
Stage 3: Tahoe Road Race
1. Chris Wherry (Toyota-United)
2. Aaron Olsen (Saunier Duval Pro Cycling)
3. Michael Carter (Team Einstein’s Cycling)
4. Alex Candelario (Jelly Belly)
5. Tom Zirbel (Priority Health)
6. Karl Menzies (Health Net-Maxxis)
7. Phil Zajicek (Navigators)
8. Tony Cruz (Toyota-United)
9. Chris Baldwin (Toyota-United)
10. Andrew Bajadali (Jelly Belly)

Overall standings
1. Karl Menzies (Health Net-Maxxis)
2. Tony Cruz (Toyota-United)
3. Alex Candelario (Jelly Belly)
4. Chris Wherry (Toyota-United)
5. Chris Baldwin (Toyota-United)
6. Andrew Bajadali (Jelly Belly)
7. Tom Zirbel (Priority Health)
8. Aaron Olsen (Saunier Duval Pro Cycling)
9. Michael Carter (Team Einstein’s Cycling)
10. Scott Moninger (Health Net-Maxxis)

Sprinter’s jersey: Alex Candelario (Jelly Belly)

Climber’s jersey: Chris Wherry (Toyota-United)