Posted on 07/03/2006 10:54:16 PM PDT by nutmeg
Stage 3 - Tuesday, July 4: Esch-sur-Alzette - Valkenburg (Netherlands), 216 km
Stage 3 will be like a classics cross between Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Amstel Gold as it winds north through the Belgian Ardennes and into the hilly southeast corner of the Netherlands to finish atop the Cauberg climb as in the Amstel Gold classics. If it comes down to a front group, look for names like DiLuca, Dutch champ Boogerd, Valverde and Italian champ Bettini to take the honors.
8:30am - 11:30am ET
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CONVERSION:
216 kilometers = 134 miles
~ Blue Jays ~
DiLuca has withdrawn already.
Well, todays race is on.
Vogt and a few others away in a breakaway. 5 minutes ahead of the peloton.
Have you seen the profile? There are six climbs (3 3's and 3 4's)and two sprints in the second half of the stage.
Yeah, it should be an exiting finish.
I doubt this break will last all the way in.
The peloton seems to be holding them at close to five minutes.
Credit Agricole will be defending the yellow, and hoping for a strong showing for Hushovd, Rabobank will be looking for something as well, Discovery could set up Hincapie, Quickstep and Boonen proably wants a look in.
THen there is Valverdee :-)
It should be an exiting afternoon.
Cheers.
Boonen on todays stage:
World champion Tom Boonen didn't manage to take a victory in the past two stages. Tomorrow the race starts in Belgium, so he is like to be very motivated today. "I hope to win, and if everything goes ok I'll be there," he told Cyclingnews.
Does he feel as though he is as strong as he needs to be? "There's no problem with my condition, I just need that bit of luck that is needed to win."
Today's race finishes close to the Cauberg, which won't be easy for a sprinter like Boonen. "I need to be in a good position at the Cauberg, then we'll see."
Boonen said that he was impressed with Thor Hushovd. "I think he's stronger than last year. Then I could let him be in my wheel, and winning would've still been no problem. This year, every mistake is crucial."
We were wondering what the world champion's main goal is today. "If I take the stage win, I'll take the yellow jersey...so I know my mission."
CSC's Bobby Julich says the Americans want to win the stage today on the fourth of July.
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!
What is this "Tour de France" thing I see threads popping up on? Is it similar to that soccer thingy we hear about?
From Letour.fr:
12:13 - Racing In Stage Three...!
The third stage of the 93rd Tour de France officially began at 12.10pm. Despite several crashes in stage two, there were no overnight retirements although several riders did need to visit the race doctors to have injuries tended to.
...............
The time gap is now 4.40.
It is exiting today, because I think a lot of riders fancy their chances on this stage.
Will the sprinters have any say after the last climb?
Dekker apparently has a broken collar bone.
I think this was supposed to be his last tour.
Sad.
The peloton needs to increase its pace though.
Looks like ithe speed is picking up slightly. Rabobank and Quickstep seem to be helping out at the front now.
3.40 Now.
Even Discovery is taking part in the chase.
Vogt and co. must feel like the fox in a foxhunt :-)
Valverde crashes!
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