It's day number three here in Austria, and many riders will be happy about this, as it means that the two stages with mountaintop finish are already done - and everyone has made the time limit so far!
But don't be fooled - although today's stage is flat rated, there are still some hills in the riders' way, especially on the second third of the race. But the circuit in Poysdorf isn't completely flat, either. Furthermore, the stage is almost 200km long, so it's still far from being a rest day!
At least the start of the stage will be easy, as we first descend from Maria Taferl to the shores of the Danube. Today's start location therefore is located on a hill - and it's Austria's second most important pilgrimage destination. Hence, the basilica is among the main sights, but there's also a monument for the Fallen of both World Wars, and a presumed celtic sacrifice rock. Quite a lot for a village of under 1,000 inhabitants!
As you can see from the profile, the next kilometers after the descent are pan-flat, as we're following the course of the Danube. The first intermediate sprint in Rohrendorf after 54.2km is located towards the end of that flat stretch, with the first 4th category climb starting in Strass and culminating after 69.1km.
Then we'll have a downhill and another short climb, this time up to Fahndorf, which will be reached after 85.6km, rated 4th category as well. The hilly terrain then continues, first with an ascending false flat, then with three consecutive hills, whereof the last climb - leading to Buschberg - sets the stage for a category 3 KoM sprint.
The hilltop will be reached with 134.2km covered, after which the riders will descend straight to Asparn an der Zaya, where the second intermediate sprint takes place after 143km. The third - and final - intermediate sprint points will then be distributed after 165.1km, as the riders cross the finish line in Poysdorf for the first time.
Three laps on a slightly undulating course will the be ridden around Poysdorf, before we'll finally know today's winner! Situated in the Weinviertel ("wine quarter"), Poysdorf is among Austria's most important wine producers - and logically hosts one of the country's biggest wine festivals, too. Hence, it doesn't come as a surprise either that the local vine museum is one of the main sights, along with a classic car show, two castles and many churches.
So, there's a lot to do and to see before the riders finally arrive here - with the winner probably getting a good bottle of local wine? Let's see...
Despite all these hills, the bookies clearly favor the sprinters today. Zabel, Ciolek and Maksimov top the list, being the fastest men on paper. Kupfernagel, Vaquera and Havik are next, the latter making it a double threat for Duolingo. But as if this wasn't enough, Trillini is mentioned at the very bottom of the list, along with Garcia Cortina, Hodeg and Favilli, the latter probably acting as a leadout though.
Last year, the stage indeed went to the sprinters - but the sprinters field was definitely stronger. Let's see if the few teams sending a serious contender this year can control the race as well!
The last shall be the first - that seems to be Zabel's motto today, as he takes the very last position at the start line. We've got beautiful weather once again, and absolutely no wind - let's go!
Nothing happened on the initial descent - maybe it was too technical for the attackers? But as soon as we reach the flat, Mosca decides it's time to go!
For Nych, today's stage should be much better suited for an attack than yesterday's. The Russian is followed by Verschaeve and Bulgarian champion Robov.
Le Court comes next - and then we once again don't really know who's attacking and who's chasing. Lined up behind the Mauritian champion are Kirghiz champion (it seems to be the day of the NCs...) Russo, Rodriguez, Matte, Ravanelli and Laas.
It turns out the first three were attacking, but the others didn't agree and held them back.
But of course, it isn't over yet, as Vahtra leads the next wave, ahead of Salvadorian NC Herrera, Phodingam and Kipkemboi. Matte still doesn't want to let go anyone, it seems.
Finally, it's Ravanelli who catches this quartet, while the leaders are just 20" ahead. But as the pace slows down immediately as the chasers are caught, it seems as if the pack was happy with four frontrunners.
But some teams in the peloton surely aren't - let's see who attacks next!
It's Schomber who gets a small gap! He's being chased down - or followed? - by Champoussin, De Bod, Le Court, Minguez Ayala and Matte.
Once again, it turns out that the first three of the "chasers" were in fact attackers, but Minguez Ayala didn't allow them to break free. We'll see if they try again!
No, they have apparently given up. Schomber has meanwhile joined the four leaders, and as they're already 2'39" ahead by now, let's call them the Breakaway of the Day.
We have two good puncheurs in this group in Mosca and Robov, with the former having better acceleration and resistance, and the latter being a slightly faster sprinter. So if the hills really have an impact, they should be the favorites from this group.
Nych has shown us yesterday that despite not being a big climber, he handles uphills pretty well. His main strenth lies on the flat, though - which could be his great advantage on the final 50 kilometers!
Schomber is pretty good on the flat, too, but he absolutely dislikes any non-flat roads. So let's see if he actually can hang on - if so, he'd be the fastest sprinter, together with Robov.
Meanwhile, Verschaeve might have a pretty hard time, being by far the worst rider on the flat, as well as being the slowest sprinter. However, he isn't that bad on the uphills, so at least he should be able to hold on over those hills.
GC-wise, Nych is the best positioned rider in 55th place, after yesterday's successful breakaway. But being more than 11 minutes behind, taking over the leader jersey probably won't be an option today.
Back in the peloton, we now have the usual mix of GC and sprinter teams - although some are top in both disciplines, though!
Suaza is leading the pack, ahead of Bostner, Laas, Hasta, Juodvalkis, Minguez Ayala, Ravanelli, Matte and Maillet.
We're approaching the end of the pan-flat part of the race, as the front group reaches the first intermediate sprint. Verschaeve happens to take maximum points here.
The peloton is trailing by 4'16" at this point, led over the line by Orken.
The leaders have almost reached Strass. After this village, they'll have to do the "climb" having this profile - it's rather surprising that there are any points available at all... Easy one.
I don't know if it's the first (and maybe only) time in his career that Schomber wins a KoM sprint, but he does here! It's just a confirmation of how easy that one was...
While the pack had reduced the gap to 4 minutes flat by the start of the climb, the frontrunners sprinting made grow it to 4'29" by the time the peloton arrives on top.
Next is the uphill to Fahndorf - half as long as the previous one, but at least 1% steeper on average. And not as flat towards the top - let's see if Schomber can still get another one!
Well - no, he can't. He's even dropped on the final meters, along with Verschaeve. Up front, it's neck-and-neck between Robov and Nych - the jury decides the Bulgarian crossed the line first.
1. Robov - 5 (5)
2. Nych - 3 (3)
3. Mosca - 1 (4)
The two slightly distanced riders then make it back on the descent, while the peloton arrives on top 4'13" later. They still haven't significantly upped the pace so far.
However, they do so after these first two obstacles are done. The gap is down to 3'29", with Almeida now setting the pace. Velasco, Hussein, Alba, Goldstein, Ahmad Zamri and yesterday's winner Scheit are taking turns, too.
Now, that's a really bad moment for a puncture, as the pack is moving pretty fast now! Bernard might struggle to catch up again - but at least the riders are about to reach the next hills, which definitely is the Frenchie's favorite terrain.
And as we tackle the second of these three consecutive hills - with the third featuring a category 3 KoM sprint - Bernard has indeed caught up. It took more than 10km, though - let's hope this energy won't be missing in the end!
Meanwhile, the pack has clearly closed in on the leaders, with the gap having shrunk to 2'36". The Iberian duo Minguez Ayala and Almeida is currently pulling the pack.
Well, at least that one has some orange in the profile, meaning we're having some slopes of more than 5%. But with just 2.5km in length, we don't expect anyone to get into serious troubles here.
But as the leading group is sprinting for points, Schomber is distanced again. Let's see if he can make it back once more.
Anyway, Mosca takes full points for once, moving into the Top 10 of the KoM standings:
Scheit easily defends the jersey, though, as no-one comes even close to his 31 points.
Schomber then reaches the top 36" down, with the pack still trailing by 2'52". 60 kilometers to go!
Schomber hasn't been able to come back on the downhill, after the end of which we have the 2nd intermediate sprint. Verschaeve rides over the line in first position again.
Schomber actually still trails by 33" - no, downhills aren't among his strengths, neither. The pack then arrives here 2'42" down, having gained only 10" on the last 10 kilometers.
Just before the riders arrive in Poysdorf, it's game over for Schomber, who was unable to latch onto the group again. He got as close as 15", but then ran out of steam.
The pack's deficit is only 1'37" now, as we basically have three 10km laps to go - plus a few more kilometers until we arrive at the finish line for the first time.
In the combined climber-sprinter teams, we now have top climbers setting the pace in the pack, as Pomoshnikov leads ahead of Velasco and Guldhammer.
The escapees now enter the circuit in Poysdorf. To the right, we have one kilometer until the 5km banner - meaning that to the left there are 4km left until the finish line! And to the final intermediate sprint, nota bene.
Verschaeve makes it three in a row, winning all of today's intermediate sprints.
Three laps to go for the pack as well - corresponding almost exactly to 30 kilometers. They're only 1'16" behind now, with Hussein currently leading the chase.
Only two laps - or 20km - remaining, as the escapees remain just 52" up front. We mainly have the teams of Kupfernagel, Maksimov and Zabel working - with Duolingo nowhere to be seen all day long!
Two kilometers later, Robov tries to go solo, feeling the peloton breathing down the escapees' neck!
But you surely guess it, that adventure lasted for just about one kilometer... However, this acceleration up front at least keeps the advantage stable at around 50"!
Final lap! The breakaway is just 26" ahead now, and it looks like an easy catch for the pack! Minguez Ayala, who has already done a ton of work today, is still taking turns, now ahead of red lantern Ostergaard.
Five kilometers later, the gap still hasn't been entirely closed - and now it's Henao Montoya sprinting to finally catch the leaders!
Most sprinters are well positioned already: Maksimov, Zabel, Kupfernagel, Hodeg, Vaquera, Garcia Cortina - but Ciolek is sitting only about in the middle of the pack, together with Havik! They should move up soon if they want to be in contention!
It's Nych time again! The Russian flat powerhouse is trying to repeat his performance which allowed him to win a Giro d'Italia stage this year - simply keeping the pack at bay!
Mosca is the first who has to let go - the speed was just too high for him!
With 3 kilometers remaining, it's over for Verschaeve as well, as only Robov can keep up with Nych now! And with the next two kilometers being slightly downhill, it could actually be hard for the pack to close that small gap!
Meanwhile, we can see that Ciolek hasn't really bothered taking a better position - or is he simply unable to do so? Has the stage been too hard for him, especially after the tough mountain stages on the last two days?
All other stage favorites (bar Havik, who's close to his presumed lead sprinter) are close to the front, though!
Finally, it took just 500 meters for Ostergaard to catch the remaining breakaway riders. Guldhammer has taken over now, with Zabel on his wheel - followed by Favilli! There's probably something wrong with the order - still some time to fix it, though.
Domagalski - Bille - Maksimov looks like a great setup, though, as does Kortsidakis - Orken - Kupfernagel! Hodeg, Vaquera, Okamoto and Garcia Cortina are following Maksimov, while Golovash and Steimle are trying to latch onto Zabel's wheel.
2,000 meters to go! Mapei have now got their order right as well, with Golovash and Steimle still hanging on.
The Berg Cycles train is doing well, too, whereas the MOL one is somewhat falling apart! Hodeg has decided it's still worth following Maksimov, while Vaquera, Okamoto and Garcia Cortina are trying to catch up with Kupfernagel.
And where are the green guys from Duolingo? Well, far behind, unfortunately... It doesn't look as if they will be in contention - but maybe they're preparing a surprising miraculous move?
Under the Flamme Rouge, Favilli is perfectly leading out Zabel, who still has Golovash and Steimle on his wheel - plus Vaquera and Hodeg, who have switched again! And while the duo Bille - Maksimov looks good as well, the gap between Orken and Kupfernagel seems a bit large now.
Let's try to get a better overview of the whole thing:
Orken
Favilli
Zabel
Bille
Golovash
Maksimov
Steimle
Kupfernagel
Vaquera
Hodeg
Garcia Cortina
Okamoto
There's already quite a gap behind these 9 sprinters and 3 leadouts - so chances are very high the stage winner will be among these!
Favilli had to let go very early, and Zabel decided it's not time to launch yet, so Bille has now taken the lead with Maksimov in perfect position!
Kupfernagel has meanwhile caught up with Orken again - but has actually already left the Turk's slipstream!
And while Golovash is still following Zabel, Vaquera has changed his mind once again and is now again on Maksimov's wheel...
Garcia Cortina and Okamoto have already been doing their own thing for several hundred meters now, let's see how long that can last! On the other hand, Steimle and Hodeg, while being the last of the sprinters, still have someone ahead of them.
700m to the line!
With 500 meters to go, Maksimov now has a comfortable lead! Behind him are Vaquera, Zabel, Garcia Cortina and Kupfernagel, all fighting for 2nd currently. Okamoto is not far behind, though!
Hodeg, Golovash and Steimle are another bike length behind and have some work to do now!
300m left, and it looks like Zabel and Vaquera are slightly closing in on Maksimov!
Garcia Cortina and Kupfernagel are slightly slower now, maybe they are saving some energy for a late push?
Hodeg is meanwhile catching up with Okamoto, while Golovash and Steimle are even struggling to stay ahead of Bille and Orken.
Only 200m to the line, and Maksimov still holds onto his lead! Zabel has a slight edge over Vaquera now, with Garcia Cortina not far behind as well!
Kupfernagel is clearly fading now, unlike Okamoto who is on fire!
Just 100m to go, and it looks really good for Maksimov! Zabel and Vaquera are still neck-and-neck, fighting for 2nd - or even trying to outsprint the Russian on the closing meters?
Garcia Cortina comes next, with Okamoto and Hodeg in the meantime both moving past a disappointing Kupfernagel!
Golovash and Steimle have finally left the leadouts behind and should at least get a Top 10 place.
50 meters to the line, and now it's Vaquera who is moving fastest! He now is clearly ahead of Zabel, and even closing in on Maksimov! Who will win this one?
It's Roman Maksimov! The Russian capitalized on a great leadout by his team, and although it was a pretty long-range sprint, he pulled it through! Congratulations!
Cesar Vaquera was very strong in the end, coming dangerously close - but he has to settle for 2nd. Still, a good result for him!
But who will come 3rd? Zabel looked like a safe bet for very long time, but now Garcia Cortina is clearly faster!
In the end, Rick Zabel had enough left to defend this podium spot. Ivan Garcia Cortina gets a second 4th place in a row for Polar, while Alvaro Hodeg gets the best stage result for his team so far.
Hayato Okamoto then gets a strong 6th place, ahead of a completely disappointed Danilo Kupfernagel. Sure, the sprint preparation wasn't optimal, but then he just launched way too early as well. It can only go better on stage 6, hopefully!
Jannik Steimle and Oleksandr Golovash round off this group of sprinters, taking 8th and 9th - with leadout Gaetan Bille on the final Top 10 spot.
Despite all the gaps opening here and there - there was a large group around Preidler crossing the finish line 1 minute later - almost everyone got the same time. Only escapee Schomber and hard worker Hussein were dropped in the end.
While GC captain Cattaneo hasn't been able to claim a stage podium so far, Roman Maksimov gets the desired win for MOL today - adding yet another win to his strong season results! The sprint preparation was close to perfect, and then he was the fastest in today's competition - congrats again!
Cesar Vaquera might be a bit unhappy with his 2nd place - but after switching wheels several times, he finally picked the right one and came really close to the stage win. Good job!
Rick Zabel must actually be happy to at least secure a podium spot today, as others were faster on the closing meters. The fine-tuning in their sprint preparation was not optimal yet, so let's see if they get it still a bit better on day 6 - but a podium is still a podium!
With almost everyone getting the same time today, we didn't have any significant changes in the GC today. Meaning that Aleksandr Pluchkin still leads 20" ahead of Tim Wellens and 52" ahead of local hero Stefan Denifl. Tomorrow will be a much more challenging day for these guys, though!
Actually, Aleksandr Pluchkin led home the pack behind the sprinters, taking 11th today - and therefore the exclusive lead in the points standings, moving 5 points ahead of Florian Scheit. Stefan Denifl and Erick Herrera are still 3rd with 26 points each, 12 points down on the Moldovan.
While he lost the shared lead in the points standings, Florian Scheit easily defended the KoM jersey today - as only the GC Top 2 would have been able to overtake him, which was pretty unlikely and didn't happen. Therefore, Aleksandr Pluchkin and Tim Wellens remain in 2nd and 3rd place. More points will be available tomorrow, though!
We still have the exact same order and time gaps as yesterday in the U25 standings as well, with Joseph Areruya leading 57" ahead of Kyeng Ho Min and 5'35" ahead of Orluis Aular.
And we have no changes as well in the team standings, with Kraftwerk Man Machine leading 3'12" ahead of DK - SVA Zalgiris. MOL are 3rd, 4'15" back.
That's it from day number three of the Österreich-Rundfahrt. The final mountain stage of the race awaits us tomorrow, where we'll reach the highest point of the whole race. See you then!
Int. Österreich-Rundfahrt 
