The third stage of the tour of Swaziland is probably going to be the only chance for the pure sprinters in the race to do something special. Like yesterday, it is rated as flat, but there are many fewer hills and you would think it will be more predictable. The top favorites are Abdallah Rizza
and Sonnery
While the secondary favorites are Gavazzi Di Nucci Haedo Haddou
and Chacon
As the riders line up, it looks like we will be in for another rainy day. Let's hope they can all stay upright.
The first attack comes from Amotz Nehoray. He is followed by King Lok Cheung, Andrea Pagoto, and Nico Gauer.
The peloton decides to let it go, and by the time they are halfway up the first climb, they have a lead of 2'30".
As they reach the top of the climb, none of the riders are interested in fighting for the points. Cheung takes the full 6 (perhaps to defend his team mates lead), ahead of Nehoray (4) and Gauer (2).
Its a different story for the next climb though as they suddenly take an interest. In a close sprint, Gauer takes full points in front of Cheung (3) and Nehoray (1). Pagoto is tailed off, which is surprising considering that he probably the strongest rider in the group. Is he on a bad day, or just saving his energy?
The peloton come through after 6'30" led by Pirelli. There are still 133 kilometers left, so they still have plenty of time to decide if they want to chase down the break or let it go again.
There's a photo finish at the next KoM sprint. It looks like Cheung will take full points again to further defend his team mate Gate's jersey. Gauer is next (3), and Nehoray takes the final point on offer. Much like a Neon atom, Pagoto doesn't react, and he is nowhere to be seen. He'll catch his wily companions on the downhill. They now have 9'45" on the peloton with 105km. Getting close...
And with 80km remaining the peloton, led by Gerardi of Ferrari, begin to up the pace. The break is 7'00" ahead, so they should be able to pull it back if they really want.
At the first intermediate sprint, Gauer wins ahead of Cheung and Nehoray. Pagoto "pa-goes-to" the back once again and doesn't contest it.
Ian Stannard leads the peloton for his team mate Cherif Abdallah, who must have good legs today. They are 3'50" back with 43km left to go.
Pagoto's point of view at the 2nd intermediate sprint. Maybe he just likes to watch?
Cheung takes it in front of Gauer and then Nehoray. That's the last sprint before the one for the stage win.
The peloton have the break in their sights with 14 kilometers to go. The gap is 51".
And Pagoto finally launches the attack that he has been saving himself for with 10 kilometers to go. We know he is probably pretty fresh, but is he strong enough to stay away from the charging peloton?
It doesn't look like it, as with 8 kilometers to go Zakayo Ndbri, who seems to be on domestique duty, pulls it all back. Looks like we'll have a sprint.
Jayco - Red Bull are setting up what looks like a dominant train for their man, Blaise Sonnery. Most of the other sprinters are lined up behind them.
But Jiriakov is quickly pulling Abdallah up on the left. They have Gavazzi on their wheel, and it looks like Jayco are hedging their bets as Moreno follows them as well. Haddou and Di Nucci are aboard the Jayco train. The train on the right is Maisto, Rizza, Haedo, and Eltink.
Abdallah gets the early jump on everyone and launches his sprint early. Cooper is the final lead out for Sonnery, and he is just now peeling off.
Abdallah and Sonnery are head to head now in the final kilometer, and they now have a significant gap on the scrambled mess behind them. Rizza and Haedo are coming super fast, but will they be able to catch the two up ahead?
Sonnery begins to pull ahead and has a clear view of the finish line up ahead. Abdallah is slowing a bit, and Rizza is leading a very fast charge.
Sonnery looks to have it here in the final meters, while Haedo is pulling up to Abdallah. Rizza now falls behind Haedo.
Blaise Sonnery blazes his way to a stage win! Jayco's excellent lead out train clearly worked to perfection here, as his team put him in perfect position to take the win.
Haedo takes 2nd with his late kick. It is very close between the rest though, with Di Nucci finishing the podium. The order of the rest is Abdallah (4th), Eltink (5th), Rizza fading to 6th, and Moreno (7th).
There is a small gap that doesn't register, before race leader Iannetti (8th) leads home Gavazzi (9th) and Rovira caps the top 10.
As we might have guessed, there weren't really any surprises today and we ended up with a classic bunch sprint. Jayco - Red Bull showcased the strength of their team, which seems to be a level ahead of any other, as they set up a dominant lead out train to take the stage win. Iannetti retains the yellow jersey, and Gate will also keep his KoM jersey, as the Oz team seems to have a monopoly over the KoM points. Sonnery is the new points leader (by 2), despite Iannetti successfully trying to take some points in the final sprint.
