Stage 3: Dukha – Al Gharafa Stadium

*** Favourites ***
Cavendish (OPQ), Kittel (ARG), Boonen (OPQ),

** Outsiders **
Goss (OGE), Brookes (BAR) Nizzolo (RLT), Matthews (OGE), Petacchi (OPQ)

* Can’t be underestimated *
Coquard (EUC), Richeze (LAM), Steegmans (OPQ), Phinney (BMC), Impey (OGE), Davis (OGE), Markus (VDC), Colbrelli (BAR)

Bardianis Irishman O’Callaghan is among the riders trying to get away early on.

Devolder and QuickStep keep things closed though.

At the first intermediate it’s Caethoven in front of Hovelynck and Di Silvestro and Schmidt. Half a minute further back we have Traksel, De Maar, Di Corrado, Balloni and Zakarin, who has 4 minutes to the peloton.

The second intermediate is taken by Traksel ahead of Caethoven and Zakarin.

The break has 3’30’’ to the peloton with 40 km to go.

With OPQS and Argos dedicated to the chase the break seems doomed with 25 km to go and a gap of 1’40’’

A group of 29 riders have lost contact with the peloton. The most prominent among them is Thor Hushovd.

With 10 km to the line the break is caught and the peloton has been brought down to 60 rider in the crosswind.

Tony Martin does some real damage and at the 5 km mark only 28 riders remain in the front group with QuickStep calling the shots.
This is really turning into their race!

Boonen starts his leadout on the three km mark. Cavendish is right in his wheel followed by Sinkeldam, Kittel, Goss, Nizzolo, Markus and Brookes.

A massive leadout from Boonen and Cav makes his move with 1,3 km to go. Kittel, Goss and Nizzolo the only ones keeping up.

With 200 m to go it’s a close duel.

The German has the final edge on the line.

Brookes is best in the second row of sprinters.