After the two difficult days the battles seem well defined here in Picardie. Tolleson of Mercedes has been outstanding taking the two stages and now leads in the GC and points competition in such a manner that he will be very difficult to catch. But he is not the fastest sprinter out of the field and a couple of average days and good days for someone else could see him usurped.
The mountains battle is still up for grabs, Kessiakoff grabbed himself 10 points (and a handy time bonus) that sees him lead the competition. But Anthony Colby of Petronas has been in the hunt for points each day and may well be in the mood today having lost time already on GC.
The stage today is just 84 kms and its so short that a break should take the bonus at 30km and stay in the pack. This gives an unlikely rider a shot at the top 10 on GC! Indeed a number of attacks went from the gun...
Bimbo's Oliveria goes as soon as the flag drops
They go straight into a climb and Oliveria takes the 3 points ahead of Pfannberger (Telenor) who is protecting the interests of Kessiakoff.
Oliveria is the early bird who catchs some KOM worms
It is Margalit (EL-Al) who takes third here, he and the other two point grabbers make half of a our six man breakaway. Also coming into it are Noval (Telenor), Colby (Petronas) and Boekmans (Highroad).
Six men out there on today's short stage.
Next is our nice little sprint prime, remember these seconds could be crucial to the GC positions, these guys will not be spat out of the peleton. One rider, Colby however lost time on the opening day and bizarrely he takes the 6 second bonus.
Colby wins the sprint hotspot
Pfannberger gets the second spot for 4 seconds and Margalit grabs a nice 2 seconds. This is some consolation to Telenor and El-AL who do not really have any sprinters for this race which has turned out to be a sprint fest! Now Colby has two Telenor riders (Noval and Pfannberger) for company he needs the three points to join Kessiakoff in the lead. Does he beat them to the top?
Colby wins the second KOM prime
Its Noval second and Pfannberger 3rd, the Telenor boys have not been able to stop the Petronas rider from joining Kessiakoff on 10 points. There is a small climb tomorrow, we shall see who (if anyone) can come out on top! Behind any dreams of this break making it away are quashed, furious Vespa and hopeful Milka are chasing.
Vespa will not be happy if Steegmans does not get near the front today
They reel the break in under the 20 to go banner, but the break are comfortable in the peleton today and do not get spat out. The sprint trains take their time in revealing themselves but they are present today.
3800m to go
Its Vespa who are all over the pace snake duty, but to the left of them is the Pokerstars train of Van Looke and Guillen. Behind them is the Nepo/Caspar train with Lego's Weissinger an unwelcome guest. A little way behind that is the frankly useless Murray who is towing an angry looking Cavenidish. Tolleson today is nowhere, two of his teammates notably Beniot Sinner have dropped off the back due to a crash.
2800 to go
It is looking very very good for Pokerstars, no-one else is anywhere near them.
1500 to go
As Guillen now looks to pass his teammate, it is surely a battle for third place. From left to right it's:
Downing (100% Me), Florencio (Telenor), Roberts (Lego) and Capelle (Vespa). Moving into the last 500 metres...
Guillen looks good and Downing is fastest third place man
Looks like a Pokerstars 1-2, its Cavendish coming late into 4th and Steegmans is just behind him.
At the finish a good day for the team in Green.
