2014 Tour de France Stage 3: Cambridge – London: 155km, flat

[Warhawk]

I wouldn't mind seeing Ale-Jet being launched to the finish of a GT one last time

Hard to argue with that.

 

[orangerider]

Kittel for the win, Greipel gets second, and Sagan for third. Froome in the mix for top 10 finishers.

 

[jaylew]

This is gonna be won by a big German.

Truer words have never been spoken on this forum.

V.

I'm going with Drago.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Cambridge

 

[gunara]

I'm afraid Kittel is no longer beatable these days in non-complicated flat stages, it will always be either him or an interesting stage

 

[mrhender]

http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2014/us/stage-3/weather.html
A dry start with bright sunny intervals, rather cloudy in the afternoon with few probale little showers at the arrival in London.
Southwesterly light wind at the start, more south on the second part of the stage.
Temperature between 19 and 20°C.

Wind from south will mean sidewind the last approx. 12 km in to london..
Combined with little showers it can be dangerous..

I think we will se the GC teams in front at this part battling for position..

Taking a look at the route the turn they make at the airport can be crucial if wind and weather is there..

I think Cancellara could make a move there, to win solo in London..
(would be happy to see another move á la saxo team attact from last year, but SKY will be ready for this.. (and get a lot of help from sprinter teams)

 

[veji11]

I'm afraid Kittel is no longer beatable these days in non-complicated flat stages, it will always be either him or an interesting stage

Same, if there is no incident I think the other sprinters are playing for second.

 

[MartinGT]

Cannot see past Kittel.

Maybe OPQS will try and get someone in the break today, or keep their powder dry for later on.

Kittel wasnt happy with the crowds in Yorkshire, so hopefully it will be less chaotic today, although I doubt it.

Kittel
Greipel
Sagan

 

[Pricey_sky]

Kittel to win, perhaps Greipel can get involved but can't see it.

The crowds will be even more huge than they were in Yorkshire!

 

[MartinGT]

Kittel to win, perhaps Greipel can get involved but can't see it.

The crowds will be even more huge than they were in Yorkshire!

Really? Its a weekday for a start so that will drop some numbers, but then again, its in the capital, but again, no climbs.

 

[VO2 Max]

Power problems in the Channel Tunnel, apparently the general advice is to avoid the tunnel today. Let's hope everyone gets back to France without too much difficulty this afternoon.

 

[MartinGT]

Power problems in the Channel Tunnel, apparently the general advice is to avoid the tunnel today. Let's hope everyone gets back to France without too much difficulty this afternoon.

Aye, we dont want a similar situation as to when the Giro started in Amsterdam!

 

[Netserk]

Will be 'fun' to see (some of) the GC riders 'sprint' at the end of the stage today and tomorrow to get a good car placing for the cobbles. So far the standings of the 21 riders in GC:

Nibali 35

...

Sagan 6
GVA 15
Albasini 16
Froome 25
Mollema 29
JVDB 31
Contador 35
TJVG 41
Fuglsang 41
Valverde 41
Machado 41
Rui Costa 45
Bardet 46
Zubeldia 48
Porte 49
Péraud 51
Nieve 68
Gallopin 119
Kwiatkowski 189
Talansky 201

If only there was a prologue so GC riders wouldn't need to finish so high up in the flat stages...

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Power problems in the Channel Tunnel, apparently the general advice is to avoid the tunnel today. Let's hope everyone gets back to France without too much difficulty this afternoon.

So Froome won't pass the tunnel by bike after all then?

 

[auscyclefan94]

Kristoff is my tip this arvo.

 

[Pulpstar]

Kittel to win, perhaps Greipel can get involved but can't see it.

The crowds will be even more huge than they were in Yorkshire!

No chance - weekday + no climbs. Also it is a shorter stage than yesterday.

Yesterday must have been some sort of record I think for most live spectators to a sporting event.

Not saying the crowds will be poor, far from it - I think a million tops though.

 

[Hakkapelit]

Any time table for today?

 

[Pricey_sky]

No chance - weekday + no climbs. Also it is a shorter stage than yesterday.

Yesterday must have been some sort of record I think for most live spectators to a sporting event.

Not saying the crowds will be poor, far from it - I think a million tops though.

Perhaps for the first 70% of the stage you will be right, but once they hit London it will be absolutely heaving. They are even 6/7 deep for a Tour of Britain stage there!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

So Froome won't pass the tunnel by bike after all then?

heh,

plenty of space on the ferry.

 

[Carstenbf]

Modolo DNF stage one. Was just wondering what happened?

Just a bad day and missed the cut or?

Looked around a little, but to no avail. Granted, my Italian leaves a lot to be desired ..

 

[MartinGT]

Modolo DNF stage one. Was just wondering what happened?

Just a bad day and missed the cut or?

Looked around a little, but to no avail. Granted, my Italian leaves a lot to be desired ..

Said he was ill IIRC from what I saw on Twitter

A friend of mine was in Harrogate and said he saw a Lampre rider with half his jersey missing, maybe Modolo?

 

[mrhender]

Any time table for today?

http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2014/us/stage-3.html

Scroll down to A sporting wiev, then press the Time schedule button..

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Will be 'fun' to see (some of) the GC riders 'sprint' at the end of the stage today and tomorrow to get a good car placing for the cobbles. So far the standings of the 21 riders in GC:

Nibali 35

...

Sagan 6
GVA 15
Albasini 16
Froome 25
Mollema 29
JVDB 31
Contador 35
TJVG 41
Fuglsang 41
Valverde 41
Machado 41
Rui Costa 45
Bardet 46
Zubeldia 48
Porte 49
Péraud 51
Nieve 68
Gallopin 119
Kwiatkowski 189
Talansky 201

If only there was a prologue so GC riders wouldn't need to finish so high up in the flat stages...

An interesting little subplot. Too bad Rogers had a bad day on stage two. Now Contador must fight a bit himself, just like Froome did on stage 1.

Valverde could move up a few place if he dares.

 

[Carstenbf]

Said he was ill IIRC from what I saw on Twitter

A friend of mine was in Harrogate and said he saw a Lampre rider with half his jersey missing, maybe Modolo?

Ok, thx. The torn up Lampre man must've been Richeze methinks.

 

[Dr. Juice]

Did Petacchi start? He had an allergic reaction yesterday ( wasp sting)