STAGE 3: Middelkerke - Oudenaard 198 KM's

Stage Favourites:
*****Duque(CRL) ****Steegmans(BOR) ***Cooke(AER)
**Eeckhout(SEM) *Felline(CRE)

The first cobbled stage is supposedly the easiest but an aggressive start will no doubt put the vast majority in the hurt locker.

Just like stage 2 many many riders tried to get into the break today, attacking as if their lives depended on it. The thing was many riders who have abilities to win on a stage like this attacked. Konovalovas; Chainel; Devolder; Saramotins; Quinziato and Offredo were the most notable attackers early on.

With 124 kilometres to go the tour of the chosen experiences its first cobbled section. A 17 man break including Offredo, Chainel and Rosseler have 2'05 over the peloton being led by Quinziato.

This break was way too strong so a number of the teams that were not represented worked had to bring the break back. It do not happen immediately. But, the break was caught with 98 kilometres to go.

With 96 kilometres to go two solid riders for this terrain, Grabsch and Sieberg attack out of the peloton. A good move by the Germans who grind their way up the cobble paved hill.

With 86 kilometres to go Tuft and Bodnar attack.

With 84 kilometres to go Roulston, Bak and Hansen attack. Jesus Hernandez, surprisingly, attacks despite not being considered a rider in the same stature as the others on the offensive.

All of these rides group together with the Germans so we have 8 strong men out front.

Behind much of the pace setting is done by Iberia. The peloton is constantly breaking into smaller groups thanks to Iberia. Caruso of Iberia is constantly being dropped, he is being forgotten by his teammates who are dead set on protecting the pink jersey.

With 53 kilometres to go the break reach a max advantage of 4'40. They are now down to 7 riders..... Hernandez has been dropped.

Between 70 and 30 kilometres to go the front of the peloton keeps splintering to a 10 rider selection. Significantly always in this group are a cluster of Iberia riders, the pink jersey and Gadret, who is being well protected by Boeing teammate Puccio.

Boeing and Iberia are the main teams on the front of the peloton but are struggling to control the break. The 7 man break have 3'50 with 34 kilometres to go.

Quinziato keeps towing 30 or so riders back to the head of the peloton. Most of the GC climbers are present at the head of the peloton apart from Nieve who punctures with 30 kilometres to go.

This strong 7 man break are just too strong. Knowing the names it is a surprise they were allowed to get away in the first place. With 22 kilometres to go the break have 3'18 over the peloton.

Tuft and Hansen put in a big attack with 18 kilometres to go before being clawed back. Festina Watches have the advantage in the break with 2 riders.

With 8 kilometres to go the cobbles are over for the day and we reach the last obstacle before the flat run in, a small hill. It does for Sieberg so the break are down to 6 riders. The break still have over 3'00 on the peloton behind which is now being led by Duque.

When the peloton reach this spot.... Gusev attacks... Millar counters him before going on a solo attack. However, both give up the fight when they can't shake the peloton which is down to around 25 riders... Niemiec has just been dropped.

The break fight out the sprint. Everyone cleary sees Roulston as the danger man. So from way Way Way out he has starts his sprint first.......

.......

Roulston has almost shook everyone, Bak looks strong but is not making ground on the Tebag rider. However, Hansen is stuck like a limpet on the wheel.......

Hansen powered out of Roulston's wheel and claimed a convincing win in great company. With time gaps he will now wear the pink jersey.

A 26 man GC group come home @ 3'20 with the, now former, pink jersey and a larger one comes home @ 4'04.

Big disappointment on the day has to be Steegmans who has to be thankful for Sieberg's great performance to take questions away.

AND... It is Ironic Iberia scored no UC points after leading the peloton much more than any other team on the day