Tour Down Under 2013: Stage three live race updates, blog
Roar Guru ‘Nowhere to hide’ sums up today’s 139km third stage from Unley to Stirling. We’ll have live updates from 11.30am AEDT.
With no flat road, just undulation, this stage should prove decisive.
Almost from the gun the riders tackle a 6.2km climb up the 500m high Eagle on the Hill King of the Mountain. Expect a UniSA rider to immediately try his luck and break free.
The riders then descend into Stirling to start the first of six laps around an approximately 22km loop. The final sprint finish is slightly uphill and will provide exciting racing should a small selection still be away.
Today’s parcours resembles a smaller World Championship Road Race, but it will hurt like a Spring Classic, especially at this time of year.
It will therefore be interesting to see how General Classification (GC) hopefuls such as Simon Gerrans, Philippe Gilbert and Thomas de Gendt fare after they hit the deck on the descent into Rostrevor yesterday.
Sky’s special Classics training camp over the break has produced a lean, mean cycling team. They should have the Christmas holiday kilometres in the legs to capably defend the Ochre jersey.
But Pro riders are made of tough stuff and Sky might be challenged.
Will a break stay away? Will Geraint Thomas still be wearing Ochre? Join us later today at 11.30am AEDT.
The Crowd Says (90) | Page 1 of Comments
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3:34pm
tourdecouch said | 3:34pm | Report comment
That stage promised much and delivered even more. Cracking race. It was like a one day classic!!! Attacks from the get go. Jack Bobridge claimed the KOM points at the first and only official climb. The two Clarkes staying away for over 100kms. And the final climb had it all. Machado’s brilliant effort and then the organisation from Blanco to deliver their man Slagter, and Geraint Thomas just defending his ochre jersey.
Well, that’s it from me. Join The Roar here tomorrow for more action from the Tour Down Under
3:31pm
tourdecouch said | 3:31pm | Report comment
GC Top 10 after today:
Geraint Thomas (Sky) 9:56:17
Tom-Jelte Slagter (Bla) +5
Javier Moreno (Mov) + 6
Ben Hermans (RLT) + 8
Daniele Pietropolli (LAM) +15
Gorka Izagirre (EUS) +15
George Bennett (RLT) +15
Jack Bauer (GRS) +15
Wilco Kelderman (Bla) +15
Jussi Veikkanen (FDJ) +15
3:24pm
tourdecouch said | 3:24pm | Report comment
Great work from Australian David Tanner to drop Tom Slagter perfectly off at 300m to go.
3:22pm
tourdecouch said | 3:22pm | Report comment
Gilbert third.
3:21pm
tourdecouch said | 3:21pm | Report comment
Slagter just 4 seconds behind Geraint Thomas on GC after that ten bonus second win. Geraint’s fourth finish there controlled the damage.
3:21pm
tourdecouch said | 3:21pm | Report comment
Tanner peels off for Tom Slagter (Blanco) who rides with 300m to go and crosses the line, Goss just behind
3:19pm
tourdecouch said | 3:19pm | Report comment
David Tanner (Blanco) attacked and gone past Wurf.
3:19pm
tourdecouch said | 3:19pm | Report comment
1km to go. Cameron Wurf still in the clear
3:18pm
tourdecouch said | 3:18pm | Report comment
Attacks galore. Cameron Wurf (Cannondale) now off the front
3:18pm
tourdecouch said | 3:18pm | Report comment
Machado’s valiant effort has come to an end and he’s swallowed up.
3:17pm
tourdecouch said | 3:17pm | Report comment
Jerome Pineau (Omega) and Lachlan Morton (Garmin) have made a small attack. Machado has 2kms to go and he still looks clear
3:15pm
tourdecouch said | 3:15pm | Report comment
Machado increasing his lead. 3.5kms to go.
3:15pm
tourdecouch said | 3:15pm | Report comment
Machado will definitely move into Ochre if he keeps this lead and gets the ten bonus seconds for winning
3:14pm
tourdecouch said | 3:14pm | Report comment
Tiago Machado, 14 seconds down on GC, has attacked! 4.4km to go.
3:13pm
tourdecouch said | 3:13pm | Report comment
Main field with Lotto coming to the front with EBH second have almost pulled back Agnoli. Geraint Thomas is in fourth position. Henderson from Lotto, sprint leadout man for Greipel also pushing hard.
3:12pm
tourdecouch said | 3:12pm | Report comment
The climb has begun and the leaders are almost caught. Astana rider Valerio Agnoli has attacked form the peloton. The leaders are just four now including Agnoli.
3:08pm
tourdecouch said | 3:08pm | Report comment
With only 1 kilometre to go before the final 7km climb to the finish, Gilbert trying to get to the front. .
3:06pm
tourdecouch said | 3:06pm | Report comment
Simon Clarke has been out the front since the 8th kilometre. There’s about 9kms to go.
3:05pm
tourdecouch said | 3:05pm | Report comment
Only about 20 seconds to the peloton. There’s a lot of lumpy sections and the leaders are struggling.
3:04pm
tourdecouch said | 3:04pm | Report comment
Amador quite happy to pay the fine to the UCI to take a cold drink from the neutral service car inside the neutral zone. 11kms to go.
3:01pm
tourdecouch said | 3:01pm | Report comment
Morabito (BMC) attacks the group. Amador looks back and chases him solo. Amador joins him. 13.8km to go. Impey and Simon Clarke (OGE) and Hupond now joining them too after a small down hill.
2:59pm
tourdecouch said | 2:59pm | Report comment
15kms to go. About 20 seconds the gap.
2:57pm
tourdecouch said | 2:57pm | Report comment
Howson is easing up as the peloton catches up to him.
2:56pm
tourdecouch said | 2:56pm | Report comment
While it’s not likely these guys will stay away, they’re doing a pretty good job of it. Howson continues his efforts to make the catch. Vandborg has now been passed by Howson and is no longer in the lead group. Boy van Poppel isn’t working well with them though. 17kms to go
2:53pm
tourdecouch said | 2:53pm | Report comment
UniSA’s Damien Howson tries to bridge the gap to the leaders. He’s had an awesome summer.
2:51pm
tourdecouch said | 2:51pm | Report comment
That finish is slightly brutal
2:50pm
tourdecouch said | 2:50pm | Report comment
Team Lotto are now helping out the front with Sky for Roelandts – or Greipel! Bell lap! 21kms to go, only about 18 seconds the gap
2:46pm
tourdecouch said | 2:46pm | Report comment
The Norwegian Viking, EBH and Brit national champ Stannard are really driving things now and the peloton’s a bit of a snake now up this climb.
2:44pm
tourdecouch said | 2:44pm | Report comment
Having said that, Impey and Morabito move to the front and make him hurt a bit but the eight are all still together. Gap gone out a bit more.
2:43pm
tourdecouch said | 2:43pm | Report comment
Amador keeps coming to the front to do turns. He’s looking good.
2:42pm
tourdecouch said | 2:42pm | Report comment
Cannondale’s Vandborg does a turn at the front of the lead group. The Clarkes look a bit tired. 26.8kms to go. Getting closer to the last lap. This is gruelling.
2:37pm
tourdecouch said | 2:37pm | Report comment
As Movistar move towards the front of the peloton, the gap reduces to about ten seconds. 29kms to go
2:36pm
tourdecouch said | 2:36pm | Report comment
The eighth rider is of course Boy van Poppel (Vacan)
2:36pm
tourdecouch said | 2:36pm | Report comment
Nope it’s Bernhard Eisel. Now Iain Stannard is giving him a bit of a rest
2:35pm
tourdecouch said | 2:35pm | Report comment
Chris Sutton (Sky) now working hard out the front and from the helicopter shot, there’s not long before the gobbling up of the catch comes.
2:33pm
tourdecouch said | 2:33pm | Report comment
I’ve caught a seventh rider’s name: Thierry Hupond (Argos). 32 kms to go.
2:32pm
tourdecouch said | 2:32pm | Report comment
The names I’ve been able to catch include:
Daryl Impey (OGE)
Andrey Amador (Movistar)
Steve Morabito (BMC)
Simon Clarke (OGE)
William Clarke (Argos)
Brian Vandborg (Cannondale)
Amador is about 1.30 behind on GC so Sky again will look to control this breakaway. It’s only about 22 seconds now which Ian Stannard contributed to out the front with a few other Sky riders.
2:26pm
tourdecouch said | 2:26pm | Report comment
They have about 25 seconds now.
2:22pm
tourdecouch said | 2:22pm | Report comment
Eight riders including Cannondale’s Vandbourg are trying to stay clear and have joined the Clarke duo. Impey also in this move.
2:19pm
tourdecouch said | 2:19pm | Report comment
Boy Van Poppel (Vacansoleil) tries a little something. The Clarke duo will be swallowed up soon.
2:18pm
tourdecouch said | 2:18pm | Report comment
Everyone back together. The time gap to the duo must be whittling away even more now. The duo have 1km to go before the start/finish then 2laps to go.
2:17pm
tourdecouch said | 2:17pm | Report comment
Still a little bit of air between the chase group and the peloton but it’s surely going to be caught. 44kms to go, 2ish laps to go.
2:16pm
tourdecouch said | 2:16pm | Report comment
I’ve caught a few of the names in the 11 in this move, but the peloton are charging not far behind them now, with EBH (Sky) leading them out.
2:13pm
tourdecouch said | 2:13pm | Report comment
Tiago Machado (RSLT) only 14 seconds behind on GC is in this move. Sky can’t let this go now.
2:11pm
tourdecouch said | 2:11pm | Report comment
Bobridge enjoyed a little bit of a break but the Movistar duo aren’t giving up. Jens Voigt has been left behind. Durbridge has bridged the gap too. Bobridge reeled back in and now joined by about 8 other riders broken away from the peloton. Names soon.
2:08pm
tourdecouch said | 2:08pm | Report comment
A little bit of daylight now between Bobridge and the other three.
2:07pm
tourdecouch said | 2:07pm | Report comment
Jack Bobridge has bridged the gap to them. Movistar perhaps trying to tire out the peloton to put Rojas through for the final sprint. Sky won’t worry about pulling these three back too much as they’re just look to control the GC time gaps.
2:05pm
tourdecouch said | 2:05pm | Report comment
About ten kilometres left of this lap which leaves about 2.5 laps to go. Bernie Eisel is back out the front with rest of Sky stringing the peloton out a little before the peloton hits a downhill section again. Movistar’s Herada and Guitterez make a little bit of a move off the front joined by Jens Voigt. This probably won’t come to anything.
1:59pm
tourdecouch said | 1:59pm | Report comment
Peloton pretty mixed up at the front now. Boasson Haggen taking a turn out the front but a couple of Movistar and Orica Green Edge riders join him to go up a small climb. 54kms to go
1:54pm
tourdecouch said | 1:54pm | Report comment
With the drinks and the food now well and truly in, the Clarke duo settle in for a small climb and Simon Clarke taking a turn out the front. 57km to go. unsure of what the time gap is out to now
1:50pm
tourdecouch said | 1:50pm | Report comment
Garmin Sharp sending some Argyle soldiers up the front of the peloton looking to set up Jack Bauer and Nathan Haas a bit later?
1:48pm
tourdecouch said | 1:48pm | Report comment
Both the duo and the peloton have been through the start/finish. Time gap to 1.59. Eisel takes a break from the front. Three laps to go
1:47pm
tourdecouch said | 1:47pm | Report comment
The Clarke duo (no relation) have picked up their musettes and are munching down. Gap down to 2.02, about 63kms to go
1:44pm
tourdecouch said | 1:44pm | Report comment
Gap down to 2.20 with 65kms to go. They’ll soon have a small climb for a few kilometres before the start/finish which will leave us with 3 laps to go.
1:36pm
tourdecouch said | 1:36pm | Report comment
Sky comfortable with the time gap which Sky’s Eisel has casually brought down to 2.26. Looks like Will Clarke probably won’t repeat this year. 69kms to go.
1:32pm
tourdecouch said | 1:32pm | Report comment
Phil Liggett said he spoke to Matthew Lloyd (Lampre Merida) about the crash yesterday which took French rider Arnaud Courteille (Francais des Jeux) out of the race with a broken collarbone. Lloyd said it was the worst crash he’s ever scene. About 40 riders hit the gravel as well as two police escort riders (who are ok).
1:29pm
tourdecouch said | 1:29pm | Report comment
Bernard Eisel (Sky) despite leading out the peloton hard, looks chilled out. Eddy Boason Haggen (Sky) lies in third among all the Sky generals out the front.
1:27pm
tourdecouch said | 1:27pm | Report comment
Peloton and the leaders enjoying a small bit of downhill on this undulating loop. But what goes down, must go up. After 65km covered, time gap still teetering around 2.46. 74kms to go
1:21pm
tourdecouch said | 1:21pm | Report comment
Will Clarke has taken first in the second sprint, followed by Simon Clarke. Martin Tjallingii from Team Blanco took a break from the peloton and grabbed third points. Orica Green Edge have joined Sky up the front and the gap is down to 2.32. Peloton and the lead on their second circuit.
1:14pm
tourdecouch said | 1:14pm | Report comment
1.5 hours, 54kms of racing covered
1:12pm
tourdecouch said | 1:12pm | Report comment
The crowds around this circuit particularly in Stirling proper are pretty healthy! Fab to see
1:09pm
tourdecouch said | 1:09pm | Report comment
Here’s a pic from a tweeter of the peloton passing through Stirling
https://twitter.com/Alice_Higgins/status/294260239841243137/photo/1
1:08pm
tourdecouch said | 1:08pm | Report comment
But Sky are working even harder now on the circuits and the lead has dropped to about 2.52 after 48km raced 91km to go.
1:06pm
tourdecouch said | 1:06pm | Report comment
The time gap earnt by the Clarkes equates to about 1.5kms. There’s approximately four laps of the ciruits left.
1:02pm
tourdecouch said | 1:02pm | Report comment
Ooh, no…it’s back up to 3.25 again.
12:59pm
tourdecouch said | 12:59pm | Report comment
Sky working hard to control time gap and as a result it has fallen a little to 3.10 after the leading duo have covered 41km. 98 km to go. Pictures soon – woot!
12:54pm
tourdecouch said | 12:54pm | Report comment
Simon came through second in that sprint and looking for points to defend that lead just a little bit harder, Geraint Thomas (Sky) came through in third
12:47pm
tourdecouch said | 12:47pm | Report comment
35kms done. The sprint was contested and won by Will. The two Clarkeys are on their second lap of the Stirling circuit and have a gap of 3.25. Sky still working the front of the peloton
12:40pm
tourdecouch said | 12:40pm | Report comment
Update: 3.25 the gap after 29km raced.
12:24pm
tourdecouch said | 12:24pm | Report comment
23km raced by the two Clarkeys who now have a lead of 3.05
12:17pm
tourdecouch said | 12:17pm | Report comment
Wow, in what is a bit of a stuff up from race radio, the two riders who lead aren’t Jack Bobridge and Impey. Woops. It’s Simon Clarke (OGE) and William Clarke (Argos). 17km down, 122km to go. William Clarke is keen to repeat history this year.
12:10pm
tourdecouch said | 12:10pm | Report comment
Jack Bobridge tops the KOM climb first and grabs the points. Followed by Impey, Garikoitz Bravo (Euskatel-Euskadi), and Javier Moreno (Movistar). Meanwhile behind them in the formerly known lead group, Simon Clarke (Orica GreenEDGE) and last year’s winner of this same same but different stage, William Clarke (Argos Shimano) attack. Bobridge and Impey have about 20 seconds on the peloton
12:04pm
tourdecouch said | 12:04pm | Report comment
But the tenacious Jack has now caught back up with Impey.
12:03pm
tourdecouch said | 12:03pm | Report comment
Impey has shaken Jacky Bobby and rides away solo
12:02pm
tourdecouch said | 12:02pm | Report comment
The lead group of 25 riders has started the KOM climb. Reports that Jack Bobridge from Team Blanco and Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge) have tried to attack their break away comrades
11:59am
tourdecouch said | 11:59am | Report comment
Still more riders trying to make the lead group which now has about a 200m lead on a Sky led peloton.
11:53am
tourdecouch said | 11:53am | Report comment
23 riders with a small lead on the peloton edge towards the start of the Eagle on the Hill KOM
11:50am
tourdecouch said | 11:50am | Report comment
The red flag has dropped. Already 13 riders away and 1km raced. Will confirm riders soon.
11:47am
aggregated drupe said | 11:47am | Report comment
Lets go Uni SA. Make an attack and win the stage. Possible but unlikely
11:37am
tourdecouch said | 11:37am | Report comment
And…..kapow. They’re off. Everything’s neutral for about six kilometres. Then it’s on. Which UniSA rider will break away today?
11:37am
tourdecouch said | 11:37am | Report comment
Reports from on the ground says Stirling is hot. Temperature already 30 degrees, a max of 38 degrees forecast. Winds at 15-25km. Not sure if they’re cross winds – will there be gutter action?
11:23am
aggregated drupe said | 11:23am | Report comment
Shame about the crash. I thought he Gilbert going to win GC
11:35am
tourdecouch said | 11:35am | Report comment
He was certainly a favourite. But he himself said he wasn’t really in great condition so I wasn’t overly convinced. Would’ve been interesting to see what the time losses were if no crash. Geraint would’ve still got a significant lead, but it has changed things. Those Radioshack boys are looking serious too.
11:18am
tourdecouch said | 11:18am | Report comment
And Thomas de Gendt also shares his experiences
11:18am
psych_ling said | 11:18am | Report comment
Tourdecouch, nice to see you live blogging this one!
11:17am
tourdecouch said | 11:17am | Report comment
I wrote my preview yesterday before the time losses of Gerrans, de Gendt and Gilbert were confirmed and they admitted GC defeat. Here’s what the World Champ had to say about the crash yesterday.
http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/video/15343171803/philippe-gilbert-post-stage-2-interview
11:14am
aggregated drupe said | 11:14am | Report comment
Phillipe Gilbert will win this stage I reckon
11:17am
tourdecouch said | 11:17am | Report comment
Yeah, he’ll be looking for a consolation prize and this might just be it.
11:10am
tourdecouch said | 11:10am | Report comment
Or Roar’s very own contributor jasonkohlmorgen has written this excellent preview from on the ground.
http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/01/24/tour-down-under-stage-three-preview/
11:09am
tourdecouch said | 11:09am | Report comment
Hi everybody. Coverage starts here in about half an hour or so. To get even more insight into today’s stage, check out Orica GreenEDGE’s preview here