August 22, Stage 3: Petrer - Totana 164km

ednwireland · 21-08-2011 3:48pm #1

Petrer - Totana

Downhill to the finish

Many of the riders will be familiar with today’s roads from the Tour of Murcia, although the mid-summer temperatures are likely to be very different to those experienced when that race took place in March. The route is straightforward until the first passage through the finish line. From there, the riders will head up into the Espuña range for the cat 3 Alto de la Santa. It’s little more than 10km from its summit back to the finish. While this may give the sprinters time to take control, this final descent will most likely open the stage up to late attackers.

nitrogen · 22-08-2011 2:46pm

Liked the comment just made by Kelly regarding Cancellara descending: he can go a bit faster as he doesn't have to worry about the two Schlecks, and doesn't have to always look behind him to see if they're still with him.

RobFowl · 22-08-2011 3:58pm

Promising form for Roche...

manwithaplan · 22-08-2011 4:33pm

Didn't see the finish but I see that he led the pack home. Was there much of a sprint?

joker77 · 22-08-2011 6:37pm

Not really - HTC were neutralised by the pace of it for the last couple of kms. Was very technical at the end as well, going 3/4 the way around a couple of roundabouts

joker77 · 22-08-2011 6:38pm

Sorry - I'll clarify that - there was a sprint alright, just not the usual lead out train stuff

happytramp · 22-08-2011 9:32pm

Wow, a bit nuts today. Menchov missed the split and finished 3.06 down. Apparently he really struggled on the climb as did Anton who was reportedly dropped about 1km from the top only to get back on on the descent. Looking Bad for two of the big favourites (And my fantasy Vuelta team

)

August 22, Stage 3: Petrer - Totana 164km

Comments