Tahoe City, CA - The Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis did what it needed to do to protect Karl Menzies' lead in the Tour de Nez during Friday's hilly 173 km third stage.

Roman Kilun and Doug Ollerenshaw got in the main break of the day with a group that included eventual stage winner Chris Wherry (Toyota-United), Aaron Olsen (Saunier Duval-Prodir), Michael Carter (Einstein's Bagels) and Alex Candelario (Jelly Belly).

With Candelario the only threat to Menzies in the overall omnium (points) format - Menzies came in leading with 72 points, while Candelario had 35, with 92 points on offer for the win - it was the job of Ollerenshaw and Kilun to essentially make sure that Candelario got as few points as possible in the end. Unfortunately, an untimely flat caused Ollerenshaw to drop from the break, leaving the job of covering Candelario to Kilun.

"There were a lot of attacks in the break, but I didn't help cover anything unless Alex was involved," Kilun said. "Once he realized that's what I was doing, he stopped attacking."

On the final climb, Wherry rode away for the win, followed by Olsen and Carter. Candelario came in fourth, while Menzies sprinted for sixth place. Though he lost a few points to Candelario, Menzies extended his lead on second overall Tony Cruz (Toyota-United) by a eight points. He now leads 124-112 heading into Saturday's final-stage criterium.