@all: Thanks guys! Much improved train from Stage 1 really showed a big difference

Stage 3 sees the squad tackle what would be the first stage when the GC men come to the fore. Chaves will be focus of the team, with Moreno working as his trusted lieutenant. The Cat. 1 climb in the middle of the stage will be an opportunity for Davide to extend his KoM lead.

After what felt like several attacks, Davide was finally allowed to go off the front of the peleton, and with Stemper (Jamis) formed the day's break away.


Cresting the top of the Cat. 1 climb, Villella took maximum points on the stage, giving him a comfortable lead in KoM standings. The peleton upped their pace on the climb, as the gap dropped to 2'36.


In the valley, a group of 4, including Hoogerland (Vacansoleil), Txurruka (Caja Rural) and Impey (GreenEdge), attacked to bridge to the break, but with the gap down to under 1 minute, it looked like I was not going to get far.


At the foot of the climb to the finish, only Impey was left dangling off the front, and Moreno was doing great looking after Chaves.


The favourites attacked on the slopes, and approaching the line, it was a sprint between 7 GC riders.


Visconti (Movistar) takes the win on the line, as Estaban loses only 14", finishing 7th on the stage.

1	Giovanni Visconti	Movistar Team	3h46'39
2	Domenico Pozzovivo	AG2R La Mondiale	s.t.
3	Robert Gesink	Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team	s.t.
4	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	s.t.
5	Peter Sagan	Cannondale Pro Cycling	s.t.

1	Peter Sagan	Cannondale Pro Cycling	11h23'51
2	Giovanni Visconti	Movistar Team	+ 12
3	Domenico Pozzovivo	AG2R La Mondiale	+ 20
4	Robert Gesink	Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team	+ 24
5	Jelle Vanendert	Lotto Belisol	+ 32

Stage 4 is where we expect to lose time on the GC rivals. Time Trialing is not Estaban's forte, and most certainly the worst of the GC favourites in Argentina. We will just need to limit loses.

Sam Bewley was one of the first 'TT Specialists' on the course, and he set the early pace, finishing in a very respectable time -- 26'14"



Bewley's time wouldn't be top for long, as Gutierrez (Movistar) easily bettered his time -- 25'53"



Spanish TT Champion Castroviejo (Movistar) was the next quickest on the course, beating his teammate by 16" -- 25'31"



Moser had lost a lot of time on the previous stage working for Estaban, but there was hope for a good TT from our new Italian rider. He would finish slower than Bewley and was disappointed with his ride -- 25'58"



The stage win would go to British TT Champion Wiggins (RadioShack), with no one getting close to his time -- 24'50"

As expected, Estaban struggled, losing over 1'30" to all of his GC rivals. He would have to do his talking in the Mountains.