Eneco Tour 2012 Stage 3

[Miburo]

http://sport.be.msn.com/enecotour/2012/downloads/parcours/profile03.pdf

Here's the profile, I doubt we get much action but maybe you never know. And btw there a lot of climbs which are not noted, if only they made it 40 km shorter...

Edit: good thing that there are boni seconds on 2 climbs, might make things very interesting tomorrow. I've faith.

Vacansoleil might want to take some time back and this is the only stage where you can do something besides the last stage of course.

The last few km seem a bit uphill but based on the graphic for the other clims I bet it's only 2%

And oh yeah I call it: Contador is going to attack, well if someone attacks he'll follow, he won't be able to resist that. And why not? it's a good test

 

[iZnoGouD]

Phinney solos last 30 km and get's 1 min back

 

[ElChingon]

Stage Route:

Stage Profile:

Not too dramatic but this is the ENECO Tour, sprint for sure! (I hope)

 

[Miburo]

Contador should practice his sprint on the cauberg, going to be important lol

 

[Wilba60]

The GreenEdge plan will be interesting to see. They were expecting to put Kroupis into the leaders jersey and then have him racing for intermediate and finishing sprints to keep the jersey. With his flat tyre in the TTT, he is now out of the picture. They have some very strong ITT' ers near the GC lead in Durbridge, Tuft and Mouris, with Langeveld and Keukeleire on the same time. Durbridge would seem to be the best chance of their riders, so will be interesting to watch how they race. Will they use Kroupis and Howard to do some peleton work at the front and protect these guys or will they let them loose on the sprints.

I think that Kroupis will be really P**** after the flat tyre and will take the stage win.

 

[Ferminal]

Beppu/Mouris will domestique.

Keukleire hasn't really done much sprinting so think it will still be Kruopis.

GC-wise: Langeveld, Durbridge, Tuft and Keukleire will all be trying to hold their position, the TT will decide who they protect on Sunday.

 

[greenedge]

I think Kroupis will not even be sprinting for it- which will be a pity as he shall have to ride for the team.

 

[Forunculo]

What about Genk finish?

Is it uphill?

 

[Pentacycle]

What about Genk finish?

Is it uphill?

If it's the same finish as last year, then yes, about 5% in the last 300 meters.
Only this time the breakaway won't last with the small time gaps in the GC.

 

[No_Balls]

Contador should practice his sprint on the cauberg, going to be important lol

Since he is dropping out from San Sebastian (not very wise imo) he certainly have to take the chances he gets.

 

[manafana]

will give this watch on eurosport once our girl taylor has finished her boxing match.

Kittel might find today bit harder.

 

[Kwibus]

I see the Eneco Tour threads are buzzing with excitement once again

 

[No_Balls]

Seems like a long boxing match.

 

[brilleaben]

Phinney having his daily crash/accident.

 

[No_Balls]

will give this watch on eurosport once our girl taylor has finished her boxing match.

Kittel might find today bit harder.

Prophecy of the day. Kittel punctures with 4 k to go.

 

[CasperVg]

Theo Bos takes the win. AG2R guy 2nd (Mondory?) and Haussler 3rd

 

[CasperVg]

Degenkolb was 2nd.

Woops, I did mess that up quite badly. Degenkolb indeed

 

[classicomano]

Theo Bos finally winning a decent race. Congrats.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

1 Theo Bos
2 John Degenkolb
3 Heinrich Haussler
4 Michal Kwiatkowski
5 Manuel Belletti
6 Fran Ventoso
7 Alessandro Petacchi
8 Michael Van Staeyen
9 Alexander Kristoff
10 Jacopo Guarnieri

Keukeleire remains race leader.

 

[No_Balls]

Degenkolb was 2nd.

Pretty close call from Dan there.

 

[Antianti]

No boonen?

 

[argyllflyer]

No boonen?

Dan Lloyd in commentary said as they got into the last 6km he was riding in support of Steegmans.

He trundled in about 100th, 10 seconds after Bos.

 

[sucotash]

Wow great Kwiatkowski in such a sprint.

He seems to be in great shape, following his Facebook messages.

It should be a great race for him.

 

[DominicDecoco]

If Degen used just 10 % of the energy he is using on popping his up and down on his legs instead, he would be the best sprinter around...

 

[virandociclista]

any news about contador? la florecita???