Tour de France, Stage 3 … my thoughts

Coming into this stage I was left wondering whether the race would be neutralised again after yesterdays crash fest. It's easy to shout & belittle the riders from behind our computer screens, we are not there. As much as I have a strong anti drugs stance I also don't think that safety should be thrown out of the window. This may sound like a really bizarre comment from someone who likes watching the pavé races.

I'm not 100% convinced that the Stage was that dangerous, not everyone crashed but those who did suffered some terrible injuries. I really feel for Christian van de Velde, again out so early in a Grand Tour.

Now here's the contradictary bit, I loved watching today's Stage (& would have enjoyed riding it too), but because I enjoy watching the riders on the pavé, not because I enjoy watching the riders getting smashed up.

I predicted this morning that it'd be Cervelo & SKY that could be the Teams that'd be going for it today. Of course we knew Saxo would want to put some time (or try & catch up on some) in to Contador. Not sure it was completely mission completed, but it will have helped.

Alberto Contador seriously impressed me on the pavé, he rode well & seemed to be able to handle it very well. He lacked the horse power (& weight) to really power across the pavé. If he goes onto win, he will enter a special place in Tour history, as this is a very different Tour.

Winners today include Thor for the win, and also for the fact ge used yesterdays frustration to power & inspire him. 'G' the British Champion who showed how strong he was to finish 2nd & so ended up taking the White jersey. Wiggo pulled back a bunch of vital time which will take some pressure off him & make the job a little easier as the week progresses.

Other mentions have to go to Cancellara, whose efforts for Andy made a huge difference. When he hits the pavé it's like he's on ashpalt. But his behaviour today seems very odd compared to Stage 2.

But the man of the Stage goes to Cadel Evans who was superb today. He made the lead group & again gained some time on Contadore. Watching him on the pavé makes me really question why he's never had a real crack at Flanders or Roubaix. Ever since winning the Worlds he's like a rider reborn, and frankly if he rides like this with Rainbow jersey on I want him to win it again in Oz as his riding has been awesome and is straight out if the Bernard Hinault text book. Roll on Stage 4.

Coming into this stage I was left wondering whether the race would be neutralised again after yesterdays crash fest. It's easy to shout & belittle the riders from behind our computer screens, we are not there. As much as I have a strong anti drugs stance I also don't think that safety should be thrown out of the window. This may sound like a really bizarre comment from someone who likes watching the pavé races.

I'm not 100% convinced that the Stage was that dangerous, not everyone crashed but those who did suffered some terrible injuries. I really feel for Christian van de Velde, again out so early in a Grand Tour.

Now here's the contradictary bit, I loved watching today's Stage (& would have enjoyed riding it too), but because I enjoy watching the riders on the pavé, not because I enjoy watching the riders getting smashed up.

I predicted this morning that it'd be Cervelo & SKY that could be the Teams that'd be going for it today. Of course we knew Saxo would want to put some time (or try & catch up on some) in to Contador. Not sure it was completely mission completed, but it will have helped.

Alberto Contador seriously impressed me on the pavé, he rode well & seemed to be able to handle it very well. He lacked the horse power (& weight) to really power across the pavé. If he goes onto win, he will enter a special place in Tour history, as this is a very different Tour.

Winners today include Thor for the win, and also for the fact ge used yesterdays frustration to power & inspire him. 'G' the British Champion who showed how strong he was to finish 2nd & so ended up taking the White jersey. Wiggo pulled back a bunch of vital time which will take some pressure off him & make the job a little easier as the week progresses.

Other mentions have to go to Cancellara, whose efforts for Andy made a huge difference. When he hits the pavé it's like he's on ashpalt. But his behaviour today seems very odd compared to Stage 2.

But the man of the Stage goes to Cadel Evans who was superb today. He made the lead group & again gained some time on Contadore. Watching him on the pavé makes me really question why he's never had a real crack at Flanders or Roubaix. Ever since winning the Worlds he's like a rider reborn, and frankly if he rides like this with Rainbow jersey on I want him to win it again in Oz as his riding has been awesome and is straight out if the Bernard Hinault text book. Roll on Stage 4.

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