The sprinters will take a backseat on Stage 3 of the Tour de France as the first hilltop finish of the race greets the peloton at the end of 212.5 kilometres in Longwy, with the race crossing three countries. Join The Roar for live coverage and updates from 9:30pm (AEST).
After Marcel Kittel picked up the first on-line stage of the Tour yesterday, it’s time for the classics specialists to come out for some time in the sun – although that’s been lacking in this year’s race.
The opening stages have been hit hard by rain and poor weather conditions, but that’s expected to change today, and the peloton will be glad for it.
Given the race finishes on top of a Category 3 climb, it won’t just be the punchy riders looking to win – it’ll be the general classifications ensuring no time is lost and that they are out of trouble.
Starting out in Verviers, the race will undulate for almost the entirety of the stage, with five categorised climbs greeting the riders. That is made up of three Cateogyr 4 climbs and two Category 3 climbs.
Going almost straight uphill from the startline on the Cote de Sart, it’ll be a strong man’s breakaway that makes it away from the pack. The next obstacle will be the intermediate sprint which is met after 89 kilometres, coming in Wincrange after the race crosses into Luxemburg
The Category 4 ascent of the Cote de Wiltz and Category 3 Cote d’Eschdorf follows shortly afterwards, with the race continuing to undulate. It’ll then be an almost 80-kilometre zone with no recognised climbs, before the final two come in the final 15 kilometres of racing.
The Côte de Villers-la-Montagne, a Category 4 climb will be summited with 15.5 kilometres to go, before the slightly steeper finishing climb sets up the best classics riders with a shot at glory.
The Category 3 Côte des Religieuses is just 1.6 kilometres, averaging 5.8 per cent, but it bites early with a maximum gradient of 11 per cent reached, and the final 500 kilometres being little more than a false flat.
That means the first half of the climb is going to be a real struggle for the sprinters, while riders like Philippe Gilbert and Michal Kwiatkowski, pending on how much freedom he is given will try to kick away.
There is next to no chance the sprinters will get up the first kilometre of the Côte des Religieuses, meaning if others hang on, it’ll be down to Peter Sagan, Michael Matthews and Greg Van Avermaet among others to take the stage.
Prediction
The first kilometre is steep and I expect the race to splinter. The pace will be high thanks to the relentless drive of general classification teams, and while none of those riders will win the stage, it’ll set Gilbert up perfectly.
Geraint Thomas should do enough in support of Chris Froome to hold yellow as well.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of Stage 3 from 9:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget to drop a comment as the action unfolds below.
Albo
Guest
Cool ! The weekend looks a beauty with the first look at climbers . Should get an idea of who the serious GC contenders will be come Sunday night !
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hey Albo, That I am. I watched it not religiously, but got right into it just before Cadel won and haven't looked back ever since. It's seriously a great sport - the tactics, the endurance, the scenery. Can't beat it. I'm not on the next two - it'll be in the very capable hands of Brendon Vella while I cover Wimbledon and have a night off - but I'm doing Thursday/Friday/Sunday.
Albo
Guest
Hey Scott ! Just discovered that you are a cycling tragic as well ! I only discovered the Tour about 10 years back after ignoring it forever as a "real sport" previously. Now I have not missed a stage in the past 10 tours. I now follow the Giro & the Velta and some of the Classics as well, but le Tour is now a priority for me every July. I buy the official tour guide each year and study the stages and the teams. I might join you for coming Stages !
Scott Pryde
Expert
No worries Stu! Cheers.
Stu
Guest
Thanks Scott
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me for The Roar's live coverage of the Tour de France. I hope you enjoyed the call. Brendon Vella will be live from 10pm (AEST) with Stage 4. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION 1. Geraint Thomas (Sky) @ 10:00:31 2. Chris Froome (Sky) + 0:12 3. Michael Matthews (Sunweb) + 0:12 4. Peter Sagan (Bora) + 0:13 5. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) + 0:16 6. Pierre Latour (AG2R) + 0:25 7. Philippe Gilbert (Quickstep) + 0:30 8. Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky) + 0:32 9. Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal) + 0:32 10. Nikias Arndt (Sunweb) + 0:34
Scott Pryde
Expert
TOP TEN 1. Peter Sagan (Bora) @ 5:07:19 2. Michael Matthews (Sunweb) + 0:00 3. Daniel Martin (Quick Step) + 0:00 4. Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) + 0:00 5. Alberto Bettiol (Cannondale) + 0:02 6. Arnaud Demare (FDJ) + 0:02 7. Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) + 0:02 8. Geraint Thomas (Sky) + 0:02 9. Chris Froome (Sky) + 0:02 10. Rafal Majka (Bora) + 0:02
Scott Pryde
Expert
Quickly looking forward to tomorrow, it's about as flat as it gets. Only one categorised climb on the 207km stage from Mondorf-les-Bains to Vittel. Full results in a moment.
Scott Pryde
Expert
So, Porte's attack came to nothing, but it was a show of strength nonetheless. Great ride from Sagan. Interesting to note Gilbert was nowhere near it in the end with Daniel Martin being Quick Step's chosen man
Scott Pryde
Expert
What an epic final we have just witnessed. It wasn't supposed to be a day for the GC riders to come out and play, but Porte went for it anyway and seemed to momentarily crack the others. It was a great ride from Rafal Majka to drag Sagan across the gap though, and despite a slip trying to attack, Van Avermaet couldn't get around him. Sagan then put the hammer down and took it ahead of Matthews and Martin, with Van Avermaet 2 lengths back.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Porte goes into the wheel of Sagan now as we continue to climb, and Sagan pulled his foot out, but no one came around him! Van Avermaet locked in the wheel, Matthews challenged along with Dan Martin, but Sagan managed to lunge for the line and take victory. PETER SAGAN WINS STAGE 3
Scott Pryde
Expert
Porte has put the move in and is dragging Contador with him. The gap is opening though as Contador looks over the shoulder. Majka trying to drag Sagan across the gap, and he does so.
Scott Pryde
Expert
1km to go and it's still BMC with Roache and Porte on the front. Contador and Majka are there HERE GOES PORTE!
Scott Pryde
Expert
This is great control from BMC. Albasini up the front as well, and here comes Gilbert. He is on the wheel of Albasini.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Riders trying to come around the outside here with Contador and Froome among them. Richie Porte still in a strong position at the front.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Burghardt now pulls over and leaves Van Avermaet on his own. Danilo Wyss has come through to the front though with Porte in third wheel. It's all BMC as we climb.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Marcus Burghardt opening up on the flat, trying to keep things moving. Van Avermaet into his wheel without team support with Matthews and Van Rensburg tring to follow. Onto the climb we go. 1.5km to go.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sunweb also have riders at the front for Matthews.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Last chance to get positioning right now. Bora have come to the front and taken over for Sagan, with BMC right on their shoulder. Demare looks to be without teammates, Sky are there and there are some lime jerseys of Cannondale. 3km to go.