Slovakian whiz-kid Peter Sagan (Cannodale) has fought it out with Mark Cavendish and Andre Greipel to claim stage three in a wet bunch sprint at Tirreno-Adriatico.
After being upset by Matty Goss (Orica-GreenEdge) yesterday, the big three came to the fore today, ignoring the inclement conditions to finish first, second and third and further develop the intense rivalry that exists between them.
As Orica-GreenEdge led the way with 500 metres to go, Sagan and Cavendish were shoulder to shoulder, battling for a spot on Greipel’s wheel. Eventually it was the Manxman who had to yield, taking up position behind the Slovakian.
Greipel broke for the line with his familiar head bobbing style but was unable to hold off Sagan who timed his run perfectly, coming around the big German to claim victory.
At the same time Cavendish was attempting to come around Sagan, but ran out of time and had to be content with second. Another twenty metres and Cavendish would have had him.
Yesterday’s hero, Australian Matt Goss managed fifth.
For Sagan, the win was extra sweet.
“It’s the first time I’ve beaten Mark (head to head) in my career,” he glowed after the race.
“The conditions were difficult with the rain and cold, and so I’m happy to have won.
“Mark didn’t have men at that point, so he tried to get on Greipel’s wheel. We were fighting for Greipel’s wheel. We rubbed shoulders, but nothing major.
“Mark went shoulder-to-shoulder with me but he was very sporting and dropped in behind. It was good for me, anyway, not for him.”
Sagan’s win was the culmination of the hard work put in by his team mates. Driving hard up the small climbs that came near the end of the race, Cannondale attempted to hurt Sagan’s fellow sprinters.
“We decided to climb hard to tire out the sprinters and I think it worked. Then on descent Orica led us down to the finish and I got on Greipel’s wheel,” Sagan said.
While Cavendish praised Sagan for his win, he stopped short of classifying him as a genuine sprinter.
“I tried to get on Greipel’s wheel but Sagan was already there. I started my sprint early, but someone always comes from behind so I tried to hold something back. Peter (Sagan) did really well.
“He’s not a sprinter. He wins sprints, but he’s not a sprinter. He’s definitely a once in a generation rider but he is not a sprinter. He’s just good.”
Once again the race was held in wet and slippery conditions. A three man break opened up a gap of nine minutes on the peloton, but were brought back well before the finish.
The final 15 kilometres saw solo attacks come from Juan Antonio Felcha (Vaconsoleil), Lars Boom (Blanco), Matteo Rabottini (Vini Fantini-Selle Italia) and Sergey Lagutin (Vaconsoliel) but none stuck.
Cavendish remains the race leader, but will relinquish his blue leaders’ jersey as the race tilts upwards on tomorrow’s 165 kilometre jaunt through the mountains.
Travelling from Narni to Prati di Tivo, the stage features the first real climbs of the race, including an arduous summit finish. At 14 kilometres long and with an average gradient of 7.1 percent (peaking at around 12 percent), we’ll get our first look at how the general classification contenders are faring.
Reigning champion Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) won here last year and will be keen to back up again for his new team. He faces stiff opposition from Cadel Evans (BMC), Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha), Chris Froome (Sky) and Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff).
Top ten stage results
1 – Peter Sagan (Cannondale) in 5:15:12
2 – Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)
3 – Andre Greipel (Lotto Belisol)
4 – Gerald Ciolek (MTN-Qhubeka)
5 – Matthew Goss (Orica-GreenEdge)
6 – Davide Cimolai (Lampre-Merida)
7 – Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Sharp)
8 – Thor Hushovd (BMC)
9 – Manuel Belletti (AG2R-La Mondiale)
10- Simon Geschke (Argos-Shimano)
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