Paris-Nice 2012: Stage 3; Vierzon - Le Lac de Vassivière (194km)

[Geraint Too Fast]

124. TAARAMAE Rein 51 COFIDIS LE CREDIT EN LIGNE 4h 39' 59" + 03' 40"

I wonder who's going to try and get into the break tomorrow?

 

[jens_attacks]

well now that was an interesting sprint
cheered for alejandro but damn gerrans was fast.i hope valverde can become a threat to both levi and wiggins.for an interesting col d'eze itt

 

[BillytheKid]

well now that was an interesting sprint
cheered for alejandro but damn gerrans was fast.i hope valverde can become a threat to both levi and wiggins.for an interesting col d'eze itt

I think it's a good possibility. If anybody can take back time on these climbs, I'd put money on Valverde and a big attack. The uphill ITT final stage is a plus.

 

[CasperVg]

Great last couple of kilometers to watch. Nice win by Valverde and great sprint from Gerrans, he could've won with better a position, I guess. I'm probably stating the obvious, but Wiggins really doesn't like this kind of finish eh? He just kept on losing places in the end. Also expected better from Leipheimer, after all the work OPQS did for him.

 

[sartoris]

F*ck yeah! Valverde did it again!

Revenge's soooooo sweet !! Bravo Alejandro!


And I foresee a similar merciless and enraged comeback from Contador. So get ready for that in August =)

 

[Mellow Velo]

+1. Gerrans' sprint was really, really strong.

Something that could not be said of his timing.
Wilunga Hill deja vu.

Phinney got lost? He disappeared from top ten of GC

He disappeared as soon as a hill appeared.

 

[sartoris]

Powerful performance from Valverde:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIfcaGwscDk&feature=player_embedded#!

Valverde obviously hadn't seen Gerrans coming on his right, so he didn't push it to the limit (in my view). Great sprint anyway.

 

[FignonLeGrand]

F*ck yeah! Valverde did it again!

Revenge's soooooo sweet !! Bravo Alejandro!


And I foresee a similar merciless and enraged comeback from Contador. So get ready for that in August =)

Revenge for what?

Ooh getting caught and not being let off?


Ooh how terrible it must have been for him.

 

[happytramp]

F*ck yeah! Valverde did it again!

Revenge's soooooo sweet !! Bravo Alejandro!


And I foresee a similar merciless and enraged comeback from Contador. So get ready for that in August =)

Now if only Ricco could make a comeback you'd be one happy bunny

 

[Andy99]

What's the issues with Wiggins not contesting the sprint? Why would he? He's never going to win a finish like that, so what's the point..?

Race controlled, no dangerous attacks, no time lost. Job done.

 

[Kwibus]

how can you guys compare this to willunga hill? it
s nothing like that hill and that hill was done in january with a lot less riders in shape and many topriders not even there

But the end result stays the same

 

[benpounder]

What's the issues with Wiggins not contesting the sprint? Why would he? He's never going to win a finish like that, so what's the point..?

Race controlled, no dangerous attacks, no time lost. Job done.

exactly...

it has become a two man race between Brad and Levi. Van Garderen is on the virtual podium and will be marking Valverde who is behind. Chavanel will play the spoiler and cause much consternation for all except Levi. The efforts made yesterday will pay off in the end.

 

[Richeypen]

exactly...

it has become a two man race between Brad and Levi. Van Garderen is on the virtual podium and will be marking Valverde who is behind. Chavanel will play the spoiler and cause much consternation for all except Levi. The efforts made yesterday will pay off in the end.

It is most certainly not a two horse race. It would not surprise me in the slightest if Valverde had a 10-20 second lead heading into the TT.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Within 20 secs of the leader do you really think Wigs and Levi have it sewn up?
I can't wait to see what Valverde is going to do because I think he will come on with a vengeance!

 

[cineteq]

it has become a two man race between Brad and Levi. Van Garderen is on the virtual podium and will be marking Valverde who is behind. Chavanel will play the spoiler and cause much consternation for all except Levi. The efforts made yesterday will pay off in the end.

You must have just finished watching the 1st stage LOL!!!

 

[jens_attacks]

Within 20 secs of the leader do you really think Wigs and Levi have it sewn up?
I can't wait to see what Valverde is going to do because I think he will come on with a vengeance!

more and more i think wiggins will drop everyone and he will reach mende's top solo.he just looks in awesome form.it will be a nice battle with levi and valverde.

 

[ferryman]

Interesting listening to Wiggins in a post race interview. Sky will try and control the race and defend the jersey but he sort of expects to lose it over the next few days due to the bonifications. It's all about Col D'Eze as far as he is concerned.

He was also endearingly coy when questioned about his post race warm down on the fixed bike

 

[simo1733]

Great last couple of kilometers to watch. Nice win by Valverde and great sprint from Gerrans, he could've won with better a position, I guess. I'm probably stating the obvious, but Wiggins really doesn't like this kind of finish eh? He just kept on losing places in the end. Also expected better from Leipheimer, after all the work OPQS did for him.

It's a good job for Greenedge that Gerrans is on form.

 

[Escarabajo]

more and more i think wiggins will drop everyone and he will reach mende's top solo.he just looks in awesome form.it will be a nice battle with levi and valverde.

Now, this is unbelievable! Honestly.

 

[auscyclefan94]

If only Gerrans positioned better...sigh!

 

[Swede1]

That was a pretty awesome finish. Valverde had to chase down the vacansoleil rider that attacked pretty hard near the finish and still won the final sprint. Also yeah he seemed to sit up a little after dusting lulu and meersman, making gerrans seem like he was on a kawasaki ninja. But it is good to see gerrans in really good form. It will be interesting to see if he can last up Mende. For the overall wiggins, leipheimer, and valverde seem to be the favorites but anything can happen based on this race. For all we know phinney will go solo up mende and win by a like 10 mins

 

[greenedge]

Great stage i just finished watching the stage a while ago. Great work by Gerrans to challenge ( he looks to be having good form ). Nice work by Valverde to not only win the stage but claw back time on Wiggins and to his team as well.

A pity OPQS used up some of their riders ( i wonder whether they might be impacted later on ). It was sound in theory but Wiggins clung on well.

 

[greenedge]

So... still nothing for Greenedge

Other than a TDU title.

There are still a few teams without a victory- Astana/ Euskatel/ Vac.

 

[greenedge]

Valverde vs Gerrans

Great call. We shall witness it at the Ardennes then at the WC.

 

[Museeuw]

What do you think about this?

Levi to beat Wiggo @2,62 (Pinnacle)

Wiggo is not so good, I think.

Both got same time as I was thinking before start. So pretty much 50-50 which ones placement will be better. Or not. But I was lucky with this one.

Stage 3

16. Levi
20. Wiggo