Giro, stage 3. Sorrento-Marina di Ascea.
 

222 kms, a couple of climbs (one Cat3, one Cat2) and a very very fast downhill conclusion to the stage. Get a few riders over the final climb ahead of the pack and they might have a shot at staying away.

Will Sky try to defend the Maglia Rosa? I'd say yes, but with five riders at the top of the GC that may not mean leaving it with Puccio. Keep Wiggins in the leading group and he may well be in pink this afternoon.

Sky may try to defend the pink jersey but I don't think they'll try very hard.

Unless of course the attack comes from a GC threat rider like Nibali.

The Amalfi coast is stunning and Sorrento is a beautiful town, so I was really looking forward to this stage. Unfortunately the telecast started further down the coast. Will have to view the photos on Steephill later today.

Very possible. He's a terrifc descender, he may well fancy going off the front as they come over the top of the climb.

Pretty exciting conclusion. Far more exciting than most of the riders would have wanted, looking at how many crashed out on the descent. Paolini takes the stage and the Maglia Rosa. Wiggins and Uran lying second and third in GC for Sky, both 17 seconds behind.

The Italians organizers love their descents.

So do I. That was thrilling to watch.

That descent was awesome.
Tactically speaking it seems Ryder is as nutty as Vinokourov! I wonder what he was thinking.

That's why I love the Giro more than the Tour... the racers RACE EVERY DAY

Also, those crazy Italian roads... OMG!

maybe he wanted to "announce his presence with authority"

How did Scarponi lose only a minute? He seemed to be waiting many minutes after he crashed. My guess is that a teammate gave him his bike and it was the teammate we saw in subsequent shots.

That's exactly what happened, Stortoni gave him his bike.

Is Hesjedal trying to get Nibali to join him in a break? Why is the Astana rider smiling? Interesting photo.

http://www.steephill.tv/2013/giro-d-...C364058605.jpg

I think there is some logic in Hesjedal and Nibali working together to gain time on Wiggins.

I think Hesjedal was making a statement on stage 3. I know I heard it. It was:

Hey! Remember me? I won this damn thing last year!