2012 Tour de France - stage 3: Orchies - Boulogne-sur-Mer (197km)

[HemmoBosscher]

Sagan at 1.50.

I know he's a favorite for the stage but we still have about 200 riders that could potentially win. Ridiculous odds.

Wow. That's Cavenish in a sprint-like odds. After yesterday's disappointment I see only Sagan winning here though. And I definitely expect him to win a flat sprint or 2 before the Tour is over.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Why on earth are people expecting Sagan to win flat sprints in the TDF!?

When has he ever won a flat sprint against top notch sprinters in a big race?!

Yesterday just proves he isn't fast and experienced enough yet to match Greipel, and Cav and these guys in flat mass sprints.

Today's stage is something completely different though; he's got to be the main favourite for today.

 

[Trofinios]

If nothing extraordinary happens EBH in white after today? Could be his last chance to get the jersey. Stage 4, 5 and 6 are all flat stages, then a real mountain finish on stage 7 where I reckon EBH will lose some time.

 

[SetonHallPirate]

Go figure...the man in polka-dot, Michael Morkov, punctures while the race is still neutralized!

 

[taiwan]

Why on earth are people expecting Sagan to win flat sprints in the TDF!?

When has he ever won a flat sprint against top notch sprinters in a big race?!

Yesterday just proves he isn't fast and experienced enough yet to match Greipel, and Cav and these guys in flat mass sprints.

Today's stage is something completely different though; he's got to be the main favourite for today.

exactly...

 

[meandmygitane]

Gilbert to take it today, considering how he did it in the prologue and stage 1, his form and the finish makes him my favorite for the win. Plus I am PhilGil-fanboy (didn't think or predict that he would do so well on stage 1, mind you, surprised in a positive way).

 

[The Eggman]

Sagan at 1.50.

I know he's a favorite for the stage but we still have about 200 riders that could potentially win. Ridiculous odds.

Open a betfair account and take the punters on

 

[LaFleur]

Meh, Morkov on the attack once more. Where are Saur and Cofidis?

 

[The Joker]

I'm predicting Gilbert to break his 2012 drought. I also forsee BMC attacking on the Côte du Mont Lambert (with Sky & some attentive riders like Nibali in tow), and gain 30 sec plus on guys like Menchov, Schleck, Leipheimer. Then again, I might be dreaming...

 

[its like that]

Sagan will win.

End of section

 

[dlwssonic]

I hope the GC contenders will go for it on the penultimate climb, will make it a very interesting stage.
Maybe riders like gilbert and evans attacking together with nibali, sagan or cancellara too.
I hope they don't wait for the final climb.

 

[Gloin22]

Morkov attacks with 5 other riders straight away.

 

[maltiv]

Looks like there might be rain. Does anyone know how difficult the final descent is? If it's particularly tricky then it might prove vital, especially if it's raining. Then great descenders like Cancellara, Sagan, EBH, Gilbert etc could take advantage of that to get a gap.

Hopefully there won't be any GC contenders there, because in that case, EBH would be called back to Wiggins so that he doesn't lose 4 seconds in the GC

 

[dlwssonic]

I'm going with Gilbert or sagan today. Evans has a shot too.

EBH might not be allowed to go for the stage to protect wiggins.

 

[RedheadDane]

Mørkøv. You gotta be kidding me!

 

[cineteq]

Morkov attacks with 5 other riders straight away.

Hoogerland there?

 

[Frosty]

- Andriy Grivko (UKR) AST: 43rd overall, 38" behind Cancellara a the the start of the stage.

- Giovanni Bernaudeau (FRA) EUC: 69th overall at 1'08"

- Ruben Perez (ESP) EUS: 133rd overall at 3'09"

- Sebastien Minard (FRA) ALM: 140th overall at 3'39"

- Michael Morkov (DEN) STB: 175th overall at 4'59" - and the leader of the climbing classification.

 

[vcampbell]

Morkov is just an animal And that's what I missed at the Giro...

 

[dlwssonic]

I really hope the stage contenders and GC men don't wait for the final climb.

 

[Gloin22]

Hoogerland there?

No. Too early for him in Tour I think just yet.

There's not that many points available on this stage too

 

[Panda Claws]

Grivko in the break so no breakaway win possible.

 

[dlwssonic]

I hope they race today's stage like how they race in LBL. this stage profile has a lot of potential for an exciting stage.

 

[Gloin22]

Break of the day.

After 11km they are 3.30 mins ahead.

Grivko can enjoy the virtual yellow jersey he's wearing now

 

[Panda Claws]

I hope they race today's stage like how they race in LBL. this stage profile has a lot of potential for an exciting stage.

I don't think they really can

Looking at the profile it is a lot easier than even AGR.

 

[Carstenbf]

Mørkøv. You gotta be kidding me!

Well, would make yesterday's effort seem a bit silly if he didn't make it today wouldn't it. A hero nonetheless!