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

[Dr.Sahl]

I think Sagan will win this..

I also think Wiggins will be badly placed and all alone and then fall.. it seems thats the only thing that might make them think about him.

 

[greenedge]

oh almost forgot,voeckler will certainly go ballistic in the last 20 km,

Espescially after losing 20 seconds today.

Him, Chavanel and Roy to form a French alliance and attack like crazy- i like.

 

[BillytheKid]

I am going with Gilbert. RSNT will have Frank and Köden try to go with the move. Cancellara will have to chase with who ever they have, but could do most of it on his own, but they might have to concede it.

It would not surprise me if Cadel tests Wiggins here. This is going to be a good stage. These first two stage have been easy for the most part. This one not.

 

[greenedge]

Also, it might be wise to stay alert on the wheel of Cancellara for anyone wanting a potential free victory.

Evans. Instead of chasing him he will stick like glue to him.

 

[Chap01]

I'm Going:

1 Sagan
2 Gilbert
3 Cancellara
4 Boasson
5 Valverde
6 Gerrans
7 Evans
8 Mollema

Too crazy?

 

[the vagabond]

There is bound to be some extremely aggressive racing in the last 20 km with lots of split groups and guys chasing back on. Looks promising for Evans, Sagan, or Gilbert - a few of the GC guys are going to lose time, possibly including Menchov - and I think Van Garderen will have a good day and put time into Boassen Hagen. Leipheimer will almost certainly lose more time and I think Schleck will, too.

 

[TheEnoculator]

Sagan or Nibali. Chavanel and Valverde with outside chance.

I wouldn't be surprised if Evans makes a statement here.

 

[trevim]

He was very good on the uphill finishes in Catalunya so I would say he is a very possibly possibility for the stage win.

But yet this
Makes me hesitate big time as the finish on stage 1 also suited him, was it a mechanical/crash or has he no form whatsoever?

I remember I was expecting him to feature in Seraing but he had some sort of mechanical or crash. I just can't remember it wasn't a legs question

 

[hfer07]

I hope & pray A BREAKAWAY SUCCEEDS

other than that-this will Sagan's 2nd win for sure-unless someone like Gerrans or Gilbert try something to "drop" him before the climb levels-but is unlikely to happen... EBH will try as well...

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Sagan or Nibali. Chavanel and Valverde with outside chance.

I wouldn't be surprised if Evans makes a statement here.

I'm honestly not seeing Nibali. I'm guessing you're thinking about the descent? How long is it? 3 kms? How much time would he take? 10 seconds? Doesn't seem like enough with a posse on his heels and i don't see him dropping the other favorites on Côte du Mont Lambert. It's 2 km flat and then 700m at nearly 7,5% after that. I could be wrong, the profile on the TDF site isn't very clear.

 

[movingtarget]

There is bound to be some extremely aggressive racing in the last 20 km with lots of split groups and guys chasing back on. Looks promising for Evans, Sagan, or Gilbert - a few of the GC guys are going to lose time, possibly including Menchov - and I think Van Garderen will have a good day and put time into Boassen Hagen. Leipheimer will almost certainly lose more time and I think Schleck will, too.

Should be an interesting stage. Expecting some of the GC riders to lose time. Not convinced that Sagan will win this one.

 

[royalpig180]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/goss-green-jersey-intentions-hinge-on-stage-3

Is it just me, or do Green-Edge seem to have a very different take on this stage than the rest of us? I'm sorry, I know that Goss is a relatively versatile sprinter, but this stage doesn't really seem to be within the realm of his capabilities for me. They're much better off going for Gerrans or Albasini I reckon...

That said, I expect Sagan to win the stage with help from Nibali and Oss. Gilbert and Cancellara should also be up there. Should be a great last 30-40kms though regardless of who wins...

 

[Dedelou]

the terrain is perfect for a good rumble. The break if big enough might shake things up if they allow more than 8 minutes.

 

[TheEnoculator]

I'm honestly not seeing Nibali. I'm guessing you're thinking about the descent? How long is it? 3 kms? How much time would he take? 10 seconds? Doesn't seem like enough with a posse on his heels and i don't see him dropping the other favorites on Côte du Mont Lambert. It's 2 km flat and then 700m at nearly 7,5% after that. I could be wrong, the profile on the TDF site isn't very clear.

Not because of the descent, but because of Nibali's attacking style on short punchy climbs, like the one at Boulogne-Sur-Mer. He might do something there, he might not. But Nibali is aggressive, he might try something here to move up in the GC.

 

[wirral]

Key stage for Sagan's green ambitions.

45-35-30-26-22-20-18-16-
14-12-10-8-6-4-2 is the points drop off, so a top 3 is vital.

Aren't there fewer points on offer today as it is classified as a hilly stage?

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

I don't see this stage providing much drama, unfortunately. We could even see a sprinter take this, though I am inclined to say Sagan.

I would not be surprised to see Vino go on the penultimate hill though.

 

[auscyclefan94]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/goss-green-jersey-intentions-hinge-on-stage-3

Is it just me, or do Green-Edge seem to have a very different take on this stage than the rest of us? I'm sorry, I know that Goss is a relatively versatile sprinter, but this stage doesn't really seem to be within the realm of his capabilities for me. They're much better off going for Gerrans or Albasini I reckon...

That said, I expect Sagan to win the stage with help from Nibali and Oss. Gilbert and Cancellara should also be up there. Should be a great last 30-40kms though regardless of who wins...

I was thinking the same thing. Goss didn't get up the finish into Seraing and the finish into Boulogne-Sur-Mer is much tougher due to the final climb and hills. GreenEdge should work for Gerrans and Albasini.

 

[SetonHallPirate]

Aren't there fewer points on offer today as it is classified as a hilly stage?

Yes. Stage three is classified as "medium mountain".

For the purposes of the points competition:

Flat: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 13, 15, 18, 20
Medium Mountain: 3, 7, 8, 12
High Mountain/Time Trial: P, 9, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 19

Source: http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2012/docs/reglement.pdf

 

[movingtarget]

I was thinking the same thing. Goss didn't get up the finish into Seraing and the finish into Boulogne-Sur-Mer is much tougher due to the final climb and hills. GreenEdge should work for Gerrans and Albasini.

I think Gerrans is their only possibility of a win even though Albasini has had a good season and is a versatile rider. Too hard for Goss I think.

 

[Afrank]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/goss-green-jersey-intentions-hinge-on-stage-3

Is it just me, or do Green-Edge seem to have a very different take on this stage than the rest of us? I'm sorry, I know that Goss is a relatively versatile sprinter, but this stage doesn't really seem to be within the realm of his capabilities for me. They're much better off going for Gerrans or Albasini I reckon...

That said, I expect Sagan to win the stage with help from Nibali and Oss. Gilbert and Cancellara should also be up there. Should be a great last 30-40kms though regardless of who wins...

I don't see Goss being a contender for this stage. If Greenedge wants to take green they should have both Gerrans and Albasini marking Sagan and try to beat him to the line. Or just have Gerrans mark him on the climb to the finish and place Albasini in the break. I expect Albasini with his current form to be able to win at least one stage this tour.

 

[Ferminal]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/goss-green-jersey-intentions-hinge-on-stage-3

Is it just me, or do Green-Edge seem to have a very different take on this stage than the rest of us? I'm sorry, I know that Goss is a relatively versatile sprinter, but this stage doesn't really seem to be within the realm of his capabilities for me. They're much better off going for Gerrans or Albasini I reckon...

That said, I expect Sagan to win the stage with help from Nibali and Oss. Gilbert and Cancellara should also be up there. Should be a great last 30-40kms though regardless of who wins...

Yeh, the funny thing is they've actually reconned the finish and still think Goss

 

[blaxland]

Unless Liquigas do a fair share of the work on the front for Sagan,im hoping the break stays away and we get a surprise winner.

 

[Tigerion]

Yeh, the funny thing is they've actually reconned the finish and still think Goss

Interesting because in the back stage pass they are very much talking up Alba and Gerrans for today's stage?

Maybe just confusion from White on stages or maybe he was talking about the intermediate at that stage and quoted without the context. I guess we will find out in a few hours

 

[Discreet Brajkovic]

Brajkovic...so quiet !

 

[Fidolix]

Why not? With a new sponsor in tow, and a difficulty in securing funding over the last couple of years, why wouldn't Riis want a man hogging the cameras on a lovely jersey in the break?

Mainly be course it¨s a 3 week race and it´s his debut.
Riis want him to see Paris.

But I would like to see him out there, I just doubt Riis let him and not to forget the first mt sprint is 132 km out, and maybe 3 days in a breakaway have cost to much power. If Hoogerland goes out there to he don´t stand a chance.

I have a strong believe in Canc today, with Sagan in second.