Third stage looks like the toughest yet. There'ls lots of climbing, but it shouldn't again really cause problems to many sprinters. It should be another mass sprint, however if there's a stage for the break to go all the way, it's this.
As with other 2 stages, first attackers of the day form the break of the day. This time it’s Faycal Hamza (Jaguar) and Fabrice Jeandesbosz (WWE).
While Jeandesbosz wins the intermediate sprint, there's no surprise when Hamza attacks and takes full point on the 2nd category climb, with it looking likely to overtake Daniel Hoelgaard as the new King of Mountain leader.
In similar fashion to yesterday, Hichem Chaabane (Armavia) joins the two escapees on the downhill. Not really sure why he didn't attack at the start of the race, as with this tactic he missed the points available from the 2nd category climb.
Hichem Chaabane attacks and takes the points on the 4th category climb. Jeandesbosz gets 2nd, meanwhile Hamza looked too tired from his previous efforts to challenge the duo. Still, he becomes the new leader of this classification.
Meanwhile on the front it's Team Privatbank with full control of the peleton. With 55km to go the gap between the break is at 5'04". Seems they are managing it quite well. Jeandesbosz wins the last sprint of the day, ahead of Hamza and Chaabane.
With around 15km to go the break is in sight. There's no sprint trains formed as of yet, but Allianz takes control over the peleton to set up Dekkers for the finale.
Coming closer to the finish we see 2 sprint trains assembling, with Die Berg Komt Er being at the lead so far. Trains are as follow:
Die Berg Komt Er (De Weert, Kochetkov, Duque, Rizza)
Allianz-BMW Cycling Team (Carrara, Dekkers)
3.5km to go and Tarik Chaoufi (Kenya Airways) tries to surprise the sprinters with unexpected attack. Hugo Houle (Alstom) tries to counter - attack. Die Berg & Allianz are still sitting on the front, where the fight for the respective sprinter's wheel is ongoing.
Matteo Carrara lead the peleton for last few km's and now is pulling Dekkers away from the peleton, bringing him into brilliant position. Great ride. Artur Gajek (Adira-Isq) sits on Dekkers' wheel, while Rizza (Die Berg) & Abdallah (MTN) are trying to close the gap.
1.6km to go and Chaoufi along Houle are still on the front. Can the two upset the favourites ? Matteo Carrara releases Dekkers after seeing Soufiane Haddi (Barca) flying on the right and taking a lead. Gajek and Rizza come out of Dekkers' slipstream, but it's still 1km away. Abdallah is still hiding behind Davide Appollonio back, who in order is followed by Sohrabi (Armavia) and Soupe (Alstom). The leader, Polivoda is right now in no-man's land, or should I say, train.
The riders can see the finishing line, but it's all still to early too call which sprinter has any sort of advantage so far. However the late surge from the sprinters was too much for the two escapees who are caught and looking like going backwards. Good try though. Meanwhile Haddi is still looking strong at the front, Dekkers seems to be losing positions now. Surprisingly Mahdi Sohrabi makes the move and gets to the front. Can he nick very surprising result for Armavia today ?
800 metres to go and Sohrabi takes the lead over Haddi. Abdallah is trying to close the gap, with Francisco Anton Martin (Iberia) looking and waiting for the right moment to pounce off his wheel. Yesterday's winner, Soupe finds himself some space on the left, but isn't looking as well as yesterday so far.
While Sohrabi is still going strong, it's Soupe's team-mate; Boivin who accelerates and is immediately followed by Anton Martin who's still unwilling to commit his full speed to the sprint. Meanwhile out of nowhere, having had to close massive gap, Polivoda is now looking much faster than anyone today. Can he take another stage today ?
Polivoda takes momentary lead, while finally Anton Martin uses Boivin as perfect launch pad and begins his final dash to the line. With Polivoda's earlier efforts having effect, it looks like it's certain victory for Iberia rider.
And yess, Francisco Anton Martin takes the stage! Oleksandr Polivoda manages 2nd today, which is a great effort considering his starting position in this sprint. 3rd goes to Nico Schinker, who just had to follow Martin's wheel to snatch the final place. Mahdi Sohrabi takes great result for Armavia in 4th as well.
Faycal Hamza (Jaguar) and 
Fabrice Jeandesbosz (WWE).
Tarik Chaoufi (Kenya Airways) tries to surprise the sprinters with unexpected attack. 
Hugo Houle (Alstom) tries to counter - attack. Die Berg & Allianz are still sitting on the front, where the fight for the respective sprinter's wheel is ongoing.
Francisco Anton Martin
Oleksandr Polivoda
Nico Schinker
Mahdi Sohrabi
Cherif Abdallah
Matteo Carrara
Hans Dekkers
Daniel Hoelgaard
Amaro Antunes
