It didn't get any better today for Team Sky's Bradley Wiggins and even Maglia Rosa wearer Cadel Evans went into the crash barriers at the same pile-up 7 Km from the finish that put paid to Sky's chain gang. But Britain's David Millar is up to 3rd on GC and 20-year-old Adam Blythe, a first-time Grand Tour rider from Sheffield took 5th on the stage.
After yesterday's issues nobody was expecting an easy ride but they might have hoped for some good luck. As it was, Cadel Evans, who in the previous convoluted and crash-strewn stage had managed to stay out of trouble and roll over the line just behind the sprinters, this time found himself in the chicane barriers and was forced to chase like a madman and without help for the final 7 kilometres.
Just like yesterday, controversial Alexander Vinokourov of Astana managed to stay at the front but just enough out of the wind to arrive trouble-free and now takes over the precious pink jersey.
The sprinters were magnificent and all the more exciting for seeing some relatively new faces; 25-year-old Wouter Weylandt pulling off a breathtaking move around the final corner with 100m to go, comprehensively trouncing Aussie multi-Olympic track gold medallist Graeme Brown (Rabobank) and Robert Förster (Milram). They left André Greipel of HTC-Columbia in 6th going backwards, the man all the tweeters had announced as a shoe-in with one kilometre to go, just behind the young Brit Adam Blythe riding for Omega Pharma Lotto.
Top 10 Giro d'Italia Stage 3
1) Wouter Weylandt (QuickStep) (5:00:06)
2) Graeme Brown (Rabobank) (same time)
3) Robert Förster (Milram) (same time)
4) Danilo Hondo (Lampre) (same time)
5) Adam Blythe (Omega Pharma Lotto) (same time)
6) André Greipel (HTC Columbia) (same time)
7) Linus Gerdemann (Milram) (same time)
8) Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) (same time)
9) Thomas Rohregger (Milram) (same time)
10) Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) (same time)
selected others
12) David Millar (Garmin) (same time)
31) Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) (+46)
63) Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) (+3:59)
DNF Christian Vande Velde (Garmin) (DNF)
Top 10 General Classification after stage 3
1) Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) (10:07:18)
2) Richie Porte (Saxo Bank) (same time)
3) David Millar (Garmin) (+1)
4) Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) (+5)
5) Marcel Sieberg (HTC Columbia) (+7)
6) Matthew Goss (HTC Columbia) (+10)
7) André Greipel (HTC Columbia) (+10)
8) Linus Gerdemann (Milram) (+12)
9) Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone) (+15)
10) Pieter Weening (Rabobank) (+16)
I've never been on Shitter or LookAtMeAGram....
Most cycling enthusiasts only drive because they have to, and if they were able to get around without ever needing a car, would sell it and live...
Hmmm - robotic squirrels. I can't see any problem with them inevitably turning against their creators....
I had been disappointed not to find Giro highlights on Quest, just seen an ad for it on DMax. Happy now.
What's that crap on the left, been in auckland. Really makes those white lines and foldable plastic wands look like a 3 year thought of the idea
She will not get many votes for her pledges or policies. Most of the votes will be simply because she wears a blue rosette. The bollocks she spouts...
Replies much appreciated.
You mean like this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkCpA91NqBw
Thanks to locals for reviews. And obviously the people who got this through!...
Welcome, hope it works!