Paris Nice Stage 3
The last of the truly flat stages the Paris-Nice has to offer was likely to see another sprint finish, with the powerful finishers looking to open the UWT points accounts before we head into the hills tomorrow, where the final winner will start to come forward on the climbs and hilltop finishes that lie ahead.
The race set off at a lightening pace, seeing attack after attack, until finally the pack slowed slightly and a 14man group got out in front, pulling away from the pack working together.
Spoiler
The group set a high pace, and the peloton seemed initially uninterested, and as the front group passed the 1st sprint checkpoint, they had a lead of more than 8minutes upon the main group, who seemed content to allow the leaders to burn themselves out before reeling them in for a group finish.
Spoiler
As the profile of the route became more difficult, 3 teams appeared at the front, working together to reel in the escapees, the teams represented here were, Quickstep (current GC leaders) Katusha Team (working for Filippo Pozzato) and 2riders from Youtube Twitter (Zheng and Chen) also joined the group, hoping to create an opportuntiy for Pye late in the day.
This was not to be the only crash of the day, Astana lost a team mate in a second 2man crash on the same descent, before the main spectacle of the day, a HUGE 27man crash, involving Youtube leader Jey-Cy Cavendickx, Andy Schleck, Jens Voigt, Ivan Basso, Lars Boom and Lieuwe Westra, amongst other names.
This crash will likely play a huge part in determining the final victor, with Gilbert and Vinokourov the suddenly set to take the overall with the removal of there competition.
Spoiler
At the KOM checkpoint, is was an uncontested affair, with Radioshack rider Murayev claiming the points, and meaning he also takes hold of the KOM jersey before tomorrows first hilly stage.
Spoiler
With the crash disrupting most teams leadouts, the sprinters found themselves bunched near the front, Pye was on the wheel of Pozzato, but his position was unfavourable, Kando Boss took on the responsibilty with 5.5km to go, collecting Pye from the Katusha sprinters wheel, and setting him up in a strong position, slightly away from the main pack, meaning for the first time in the race, he had a good position to push for a top 3 spot.
Spoiler
Having seen the advantageous position that Youtube held,Thurgot, daringly swapped trains, to collect his wheel, and he and Pozzato kicked together, Pozzato initially in front, still Pye clung to Kando Boss, until with just 1km left, Pye made his move, jumping forwards past his competitors, and surging over the line a bike length ahead of second place Thurgot.
Spoiler
An absolutely delighted Pye thanked his team mates for there work, not only Boss' leadout, but also the chasing work by the team, meaning that Youtube will be able to celebrate there stage win, however, everything was not quite perfect, Cavendickx seems to be out of contention for the GC, unless he can perform some miracle comeback in the hillier later stages tomorrow brings...
Edited by baggieboys32 on 12-01-2012 12:15
Paris-Nice Stage 4
The first hilly stage of the 8 day tour, potential for a breakaway rider to claim the victory, if he can pull a large enough gap in the hills before the end, or alternatively, if the sprinting teams set up correctly, then may well be able to reign in the breakaways, and force a bunch sprint finish.
In the morning there were multiple attacks from most teams, with many opting to place a strong rider in the break, perhaps suspecting they may hold off until the finale, especially with stronger representation, Alexander Lens joined the break for Youtube Twitter, the fighter had been kept quiet until now, but was roaring to go at the beginning of the day, he was even spotted betting with team mates regarding how long he would hold off up front.
Spoiler
The KOM checkpoints were a hard fought affair, especially between Lens of Youtube Twitter, Geox rider - David De la Fuente, and Saxobank Fighter - Matteo Tossato, it was Lens who took the best pickings today, and will start tomorrows stage in the KOM jersey, 5points ahead of CSC Saxobanks Tossato.
Spoiler
Spoiler
The break kept gaining time, but many riders were no longer able to stay with the front leaders, with all riders other than De la Fuente and Lens being dropped due to the fast pace, it looked as though one of these might hold on for the stage win if they could protect there time gap down the final descent towards the finish.
Spoiler
Lens decided to risk going alone, rather than be slowed by the weaker downhiller from Geox and pulled ahead and away from La Fuente, and was still in front (just) with 3km to go...
Lens launched, seeing the peloton behind him, and the sprinters were in full charge to take the win from his outstretched arms with just a miniscule distance left, the riders had stronger legs, would the time prove to be enough?
Spoiler
Spoiler
Pozzato and Boonen were on his wheel as he crossed the line, more than 25m more, and he wouldn't of clung on, but as it was, he'd done it, jumping into a morning break and clung on up front right to the bitter end, no time advantage, the effort in the final sprint was clear, no time for raising arms, instead focussing on making sure he could hold on to the last.
Spoiler
He can be proud come the end of the tour, to travel home with a UWT stage win to his name! Excellent work by the TYT fighter, seen collecting his winnings from team mates at the end of the day amidst some hearty congratulations.
Spoiler
Pye was not visible in the sprint today, the team had hung back, slowing the pace, to give lens the best possible chance, meaning that he slips down the points classification, but the team came here to challenge for a stage win, not an overall victory, and DS Bob Haskins seems mighty pleased with todays excursions.
returning to lead the squad in the tour.
