Professional Cycling - TdF Stage 3 - Monday July 6 - 196 km - Marseille → La Grande-Motte

I saw an american riding this stage route today. He asked me for directions and had that map to show me, which was not much use! I'l be watching at the first climb of this stage.

Looking forward to watching this stage on TV simply because its the first time that a stage will travel down the same roads that I have traveled (except I was in a rented Citroen). I'm hoping the helicopters get some nice shots of Les Baux.

I hope someone other than Cav wins.

I hope someone other than Cav wins.

Yea, maybe...but damn that Columbia train is strong. They got some diesels pulling Manx Man all the way to the end.

Milram, Fuji, Liquigas, Cervelo & Quick Step come to mind as some of those who ran out of gas/conceded that last 1k and got gassed by Columbia. Tactical? Well maybe but, I thought Milram looked serious about setting up Ciolek for the "Revenge" win over Columbia but, they got smoked.

So how is this gonna play out? Will this be another sprint stage? Experts, what say you?

Well I'm no expert and it's hard to bet against Cav, but just to go down with my proverbial ship, I'm going to stick with my pick of Hushovd...he's due! :D

no way.

The climbers are going to leave them on that last 16 meter climb.

Yea, maybe...but damn that Columbia train is strong. They got some diesels pulling Manx Man all the way to the end.

Milram, Fuji, Liquigas, Cervelo & Quick Step come to mind as some of those who ran out of gas/conceded that last 1k and got gassed by Columbia. Tactical? Well maybe but, I thought Milram looked serious about setting up Ciolek for the "Revenge" win over Columbia but, they got smoked.

At one point I saw one of the Milram riders point over to the end of the Columbia train. Telling their sprinter to get on the end of the Columbia train. I guess they thought that he had the best chance doing that as they must have been out of steam.

I hope someone other than Cav wins.

Not unless he gets blocked in or crashes, Columbia is strong and Cav just rides away from them. I'm thinking win #2.

Not unless he gets blocked in or crashes, Columbia is strong and Cav just rides away from them. I'm thinking win #2.

Probably true. I was really surprised that Farrar couldn't gain more ground on him in the sprint. Maybe Boonen will have an answer.

Yeah, you think some other teams will be going on a new strategy tomorrow against Columbia?

Glad we get into the hills tomorrow.

Farrar can't beat Cav, he just plain isn't fast enough.

He sat on the end of the Columbia train, and was right on Mark's wheel....and Mark STILL just rode him off in the last 100m like it was nothing. Raw speed no one can match. It's kind scary really.

I saw an american riding this stage route today. He asked me for directions and had that map to show me, which was not much use! I'l be watching at the first climb of this stage.

Liked your photo yesterday. Please start a thread an share more. Also the atmosphere etc. How long are you there?


I hope someone other than Cav wins.

Why? Are you not entertained? :D

Don't worry, Cav finds it as boring as you do... ;)

Cav quote from a pre-tour interview (taken out of context - read the article)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/jun/30/mark-cavendish-tour-de-france

"It's so ironic that the better you get the easier it becomes to win," he says with a throaty chuckle. "The space I'm now being given by the peloton is ridiculous. They're looking over the shoulder to make room for me and that's the biggest irony of all. Instead of plotting ways to close me down it seems as if, when things get tight in the last 'k', someone will see me and move over so they can wave me through. I'm thinking, 'Shouldn't you at least try to beat me?' To be honest, it can get boring."


Yeah, you think some other teams will be going on a new strategy tomorrow against Columbia?

What can you do against such a lead out? Maybe get on the back of the train I guess.


Glad we get into the hills tomorrow.

Amen. Although even th e1st stage would have been "hilly" for me:o

Farrar was blocked by the Columbia lead out guy peeling off.

Is it just me or are the Saxo Bank boys spending another day working their asses off at the front of the peloton?


What can you do against such a lead out? Maybe get on the back of the train I guess.

No clue, I'm not a cycling strategist, but certainly there are defensive strategies to keep someone like Cav from plowing through with his team.

I'll also say what I'd imagine is common knowledge, but I just have to say it.

Eurosport >>>>>>>>> Vs.

You can have your HD, you can have all that crap, just let me actually watch the race! I know it might not be the most exciting for your average couch potato who comes across Vs., but man, I love it.

I can't find a Eurosport feed today, and I'm not at home.. anyone?
All I can find is Versus, which is 70% advertisements/useless information and 30% racing.

yeah, Eurosports started getting shut down a little bit ago. So, I'm on Versus.... not NEARLY as bad as the re-broadcast later. What you can do is stream the eurosport audio and watch the Vs.

I will be shocked if Cavendish does not win this one.

Glad we get into the hills tomorrow.

??? It's TTT tomorrow.

I'm thinking it's likely going to be Cav again.

tomorrow is today

This just got very, very interesting.

Wow. If they hold the gap, it's Cav for sure.

This just got very, very interesting.

yes it did! Damn! Nice split!

This could be crazy. I see Contador freaking out over this.

Do you think the gap will stay?

man... some big names stuck in the 2nd peloton, eh?

LA was pretty impressive to get in the 1st.... maybe a deal made??? =o

Astana taking pulls now!! What does that say to Contador?

Peloton's have a hard time catching up, Evans can't rally them.... Really fun!

doh?

Astana taking pulls now!! What does that say to Contador?

You snooze you lose. I can't believe he missed the split.

Wow, let the Astana drama begin.

33sec gap.

Anyone else smell a LA deal with a few people?? C'mon... let's start some rumours!!

Wow, let the Astana drama begin.

indeed

Could be a deal. More than anything I think the big guns were sleeping.

You snooze you lose. I can't believe he missed the split.

Exactly.

Lance Armstrong has been very lucky a lot of times in his career - but you have to give him credit, he is very smart and makes a lot of his own luck.

Could be a deal. More than anything I think the big guns were sleeping.

Which is why the radio free stages will be awesome. It's going to be like this all day.

Lance Armstrong has been very lucky a lot of times in his career - but you have to give him credit, he is very smart and makes a lot of his own luck.

He looks like a genius today.

38"

oof.

Which is why the radio free stages will be awesome. It's going to be like this all day.

this ones radio free?? forgot! oh man... nice.

I have to say Team Columbia is looking like beasts.

Skil or Cancellara for the win :D

No radios? I thought they were later stages. I haven't heard them say.

Damn. Cav on the phone.

Damn columbia!

39sec over the main field.