Paris - Nice, Stage 3 Châtel-Guyon -> Brioude 170 km, Wednesday 6th March

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Very, very hard. Especially when Sky rips everything apart before the climb. But don't worry, it can't possibly be Gesinks fault.

No this is defiantely Gesinks fault, he should have started in front, he was nowhere near the first 20 in the final 20km.. so that's a fail. He should've known of all people that in this weather with such a descent you should be in front

 

[theyoungest]

He might have been held up by a fall. There was reports of a second fall in the downhill after Kiryenka... but still, it's dissappointing.
He rides 2 flat stages in the front, and then the first serious stage he starts the climb in 30th position again.
for crying out loud how hard is it to start in front???

Usually if you're not in front you don't feel great. Gesink sucks in the rain, he looked like an old man again today. It's too bad, I just hope they didn't make Kelderman wait for him because that would be ridiculous.

 

[maltiv]

for crying out loud how hard is it to start in front???

Well to be fair, it is insanely hard, everyone wants to be there! But it's surprising they haven't learned by now. I guess Gesink is just too nervous on the bike to be able to manoeuvre well enough in the peloton.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Very, very hard. Especially when Sky rips everything apart before the climb. But don't worry, it can't possibly be Gesinks fault.

I think his post was pretty indicative that gesink screwed up, he surely would have been placed poorly to find himself on the wrong side of the split (the group was still big a the top). I dunno if his placement was due to stupidity, poor legs on the climb or he just crumbled on the descent, either way no excuses, poor by him and blanco.

 

[JRanton]

If Kiryienka hadn't fallen you'd have to think the gap would have been bigger at the end. Having said that with three Sky riders in the front group the others probably wouldn't have cooperated.

 

[The Sheep]

Well to be fair, it is insanely hard, everyone wants to be there! But it's surprising they haven't learned by now. I guess Gesink is just too nervous on the bike to be able to manoeuvre well enough in the peloton.

If only Tjallingii could go uphill a bit.

 

[Ferminal]

Phantom in the 2nd group!

 

[pastronef]

yeah! beautiful stage finish and win for Talansky (JV will be very happy)

"Wait for it, just wait for it"

that's what Talansky said 3 days ago on twitter

 

[Leonardus]

I think his post was pretty indicative that gesink screwed up, he surely would have been placed poorly to find himself on the wrong side of the split (the group was still big a the top). I dunno if his placement was due to stupidity, poor legs on the climb or he just crumbled on the descent, either way no excuses, poor by him and blanco.

You wonder how many times you can screw up a GC, unbelievable Gesink manages to do it again.

Quintana looks very good for a podium spot now, maybe even the overall. Looking forward to Montagne de Lure.

 

[JRanton]

yeah! beautiful stage finish and win for Talansky (JV will be very happy)

"Wait for it, just wait for it"

that's what Talansky said 3 days ago on twitter

It would have been more impressive if he'd actually helped Porte bridge the gap to the front five. He then did the least amount of work in the group.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Wonder how Westra will do on Montagne de Lure, I find it incredible that he finished in front somehow today. He flatted just before the final climb

 

[TheArt]

Robert didn't finish on his own bike and there were no signs of a crash so I think he had a technical in the descent.

 

[Ferminal]

The bonus seconds will be pretty handy for Talansky but think he may struggle to stay with Quintana and Porte on Friday.

 

[RiccoDinko]

It would have been more impressive if he'd actually helped Porte bridge the gap to the front five. He then did the least amount of work in the group.

That was was the key to victory.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Wonder how Westra will do on Montagne de Lure, I find it incredible that he finished in front somehow today. He flatted just before the final climb

Thought he was in the chase group, not in front?

Unless the splits are now defined as before Gesink and after Gesink.

 

[JRanton]

That was was the key to victory.

I appreciate that. Simply saying it would have been more impressive if he'd done a bit more work. Still a good win.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

the first big front group...to be clear

the first 7 not ofcourse, but the differnece (7 seconds) is neglicible

 

[pastronef]

It would have been more impressive if he'd actually helped Porte bridge the gap to the front five. He then did the least amount of work in the group.

that's how it goes. let me enjoy the first win for team Garmin, before OPQS and Cannondale and take command through spring

 

[Roude Leiw]

The bonus seconds will be pretty handy for Talansky but think he may struggle to stay with Quintana and Porte on Friday.

Perhaps with quintana, but he climbs at least as well as richie porte

 

[garyhoop1]

Videos

Paris - Nice videos so far inc stage 3 - http://bit.ly/XJaCmp

 

[Netserk]

GC:

Gesink 1'09
Kelderman 1'05
Quintana '17

 

[pastronef]

nice quartet at 17" n GC

18 Nicolas Roche (Irl) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:00:17
19 Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack Leopard
20 Simon Spilak (Slo) Team Katusha
21 Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Col) Movistar Team

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Usually if you're not in front you don't feel great. Gesink sucks in the rain, he looked like an old man again today. It's too bad, I just hope they didn't make Kelderman wait for him because that would be ridiculous.

no kelderman is exaclty the same as gesink, sucks in the rain and crashes often

 

[Ferminal]

Perhaps with quintana, but he climbs at least as well as richie porte

Well the only time they went H2H last year Porte won (which was also Porte's only individual opportunity), so...

 

[Dazed and Confused]

The race couldn't have asked for more than what the riders did today.
1 minute gaps to several GC contenders. Bring on the action.