Stage 3 Tour of Britain
Monday 14 September, Peebles to Gretna Green 153.8kms/95.6miles
Columbia HTC's Edvald Boasson Hagen, named last week in the new Sky Team, recalled his heroics of last year's race as he won an exciting and fluctuating third stage of the Tour of Britain. A break of four riders stayed away for most of the day - including the inevitable Thomas De Gendt - but after they were caught on the long, flat run in to the finish at Gretna Gree, it all came down to a spectacular bunch sprint.
Photo: Gerry McManus.
Results (full results at foot of page)
1 Boasson Hagen,Edvald Team Columbia-HTC 3h38'01"
2 Merlo,Michel Barloworld
3 Sutton,Chris Garmin-Slipstream
4 Napolitano,Danilo Team Katusha
5 Appollonio,Davide Cervelo Test Team
6 Downing,Russell Candi-TV-Marshalls Pasta
7 Kristoff,Alexander Joker Bianchi
8 De Negri,Pierpaolo ISD-Neri
9 Brown,Graeme Rabobank
10 Thomas,Geraint Barloworld
Report
The third stage of the 2009 Tour of Britain took riders through a tough tour of some of the deceptive Scottish Borders hills: this is an area beloved of the Mountain Bike community, but perhaps a little less familiar to the Road fraternity. It's a paradise for those who like wild, sweeping vistas, quiet but challenging roads and a faint whiff of adventure and in some ways it's a forgotten gem of Road riding opportunities, though it's an area the race has become familiar with in recent years.
The stage was lumpy rather than outright mountainous, but two third category climbs and the imposing second category toughie, Lime Kiln Edge, meant it wasn't to be taken too lightly, even if the climbs all came well before the generally downhill run into the finish at the wedding Mecca of Gretna Green.
From the off, attacks were the order of the day and the irrepressible Thomas De Gendt (Topsport Vlaanderen) was at it again and he and Cervelo Test Team's Martein Reimer were soon clear of the main bunch. De Gendt is either in great form or he has developed a phobia of bunch riding! Whatever the reason, his energy and nerve are commendable. There's always a stand-out rider who emerges in every race and De Gendt is already the face of the 2009 Tour of Britain, much as Edvald Boasson Hagen was in 2008.
De Gendt and Reimer were soon joined by Rapha Condor's Darren Lapthorne and Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team's Dutchman Rob Ruygh, to form a group of four riders over a minute clear of the main bunch. The gap went out to approximately three minutes as the race passed through the towns of Galashiels and Melrose, with big crowds once again cheering the riders on.
Although the break didn't seem able to further extend their lead, they weren't being brought back too quickly either. Meanwhile, De Gendt was able to hoover up a lot of King of the Mountains and Sprints points - he leads both competitions - and if he doesn't win one or both at the end of the race it won't be for lack of trying. Instrumental in chasing and keeping the lead in check were the Rabobank and Joker teams, the former keen to preserve the GC lead of Kai Reus.
With their lead coming down towards the one minute mark, some 35km from the finish, the four riders in the break began to get restless and in the town of Langholm, site of the final sprint of the day, Darren Lapthorne attacked and it took a big effort by the other three, led by Reimer, to pull him back. This sort of "breaking of the fellowship" always unsettles a break and makes co-operation a lot less likely. There was a brief re-grouping and another attack, this time from De Gendt, but they were finally pulled in and a whole series of counter-attacks began.
Agritubel's Emilien Berges made one particularly well-timed and hard-hitting attack and rapidly managed to pull out almost half a minute over the chasing pack before they could respond.
With Four kilometers to go, Berges still had 16 seconds, but this was dropping all the time and with Team Columbia assuming a Tour de France-like dominance at the front of the peloton his moved was doomed and he was pulled back and a bunch sprint became inevitable.
Stage 3 Interviews and Rapha Condor Report
Click here for lots of pre-race and post race interviews from the riders in the Tour of Britain on stage 3.Includes -- Kai Reus (Yellow jersey), Edvald Boasson Hagen (stage 3 winner), Russell Downing, Rob Hayles, Malcolm Elliott, Geraint Thomas plus the guys from Rapha Condor who made such an impact on the stage.
EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS (see these and more in high res here)
British Cycling is the only media with a photographer on a motorbike covering the whole race. Here are the exclusive photos of the first stage. Our thanks to NEG (Wales) pilot Graham Harper for his help in getting these photos.
Edvald Boasson Hagen celebrates on the podium
A smile from a De Gendt who Darren Lapthorne (he was in the break with him) said afterwards was so strong.
De Gendt strengthened his lead in the King of the Mountains competition after yet another long break.
Merlo held onto his Points jersey after a second place on the stage, his second of the race.
A very proud Rabobank director sportif, Erick Dekker taking photos of his yellow jersey, Kai Reus (below)
Pozzato of Katusha leads the peloton through the red kite in one long line.
Riding along during a quiet moment of the race, spotted this big bridge and thought it would make a nice backdrop to to the race.
And then a little later, I thought the same in one of the many villages and towns during the stage.
Being a Monday, it was a school day and that means lots of school children cheering the race on for all they were worth. Darren Lapthorne of Australia and Rapha Condor leads.
Kristian House and Russell Downing chat before the stage.
Lauren Bason, one of the podium girls with Andy Tennant
A festive atmosphere in Peebles but a distinct lack of bagpipes to set off the great atmosphere for the stage start.
Riders roll out of the Scottish town on their way to Gretna Green.
First attack and it comes from the German champion on the Cervelo team, Martein Reimer. He gets away with De Gendt
CandiTV's Graham Briggs makes an attempt to get away from the peloton
Simon Richardson joins a chase group with Briggs but finds no-one is willing to commit to the chase and the small groups is quickly caught
The two leaders race through a packed town whilst the NEG and Police escort them through and TV films the whole thing.
Darren Lapthorne leads the chase.
The leaders in sight of the Lapthorne led chase
Soon we have four leaders and they dominated the race before being caught
The chase led by Rabobank through very picturesque countryside in the Scottish borders
De Gendt takes the points at the first King of the Mountains prime.
Feeding time for the leaders with Lapthorne dipping into his musette for food and drink
A Joker Bianchi rider leads the chase. Rabobank's Eric Dekker explained after the race that he asked them to help and they did.
After a sprint, Darren Lapthorne explained that he went through for a turn and suddenly there was a big gap behind. The reast of the break chased and soon got back on terms with the former Aussie champion.
The chase starts to gather pace into the final 30 miles of the race
Two Agritubel riders make their move to get away
The break are by now in sight of the chasers and peloton
De Gendt tries to go it alone.
He is caught though as the peloton closes in. Notice the blue jersey of an Agritubel rider has made it across to the break. Darren Lapthorne has had a double puncture.
Soon only the Agritubel rider is left to try his luck at staying clear to the finish
Emilien Berges digs deep in the final 6k
The peloton is closing on Berges
4K to go and the bun fight for the lead is in full flow as they chase Berges who was caught 2k from the finish
Results
Stage 3
1 Boasson Hagen,Edvald Team Columbia-HTC 3h38'01"
2 Merlo,Michel Barloworld
3 Sutton,Chris Garmin-Slipstream
4 Napolitano,Danilo Team Katusha
5 Appollonio,Davide Cervelo Test Team
6 Downing,Russell Candi-TV-Marshalls Pasta
7 Kristoff,Alexander Joker Bianchi
8 De Negri,Pierpaolo ISD-Neri
9 Brown,Graeme Rabobank
10 Thomas,Geraint Barloworld
11 Canuti,Federico CSF Navigare
12 Fernandez,Koldo Euskatel Euskadi
13 Hayles,Robert Team Halfords
14 House,Kristian Rapha Condor
15 Lloyd,Daniel Cervelo Test Team
16 Honig,Reinier Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
17 Wilkinson,Ian Team Halfords
18 Vanspeybrouck,Pieter Topsport Vlaanderen
19 McNally,Mark Team Halfords
20 Ruygh,Rob Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
21 Berkhout,Thomas Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
22 Golas,Michael Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
23 Reimer,Martin Cervelo Test Team
24 Peterson,Tom Garmin-Slipstream
25 Craven,Dan Rapha Condor
26 Velasco,Ivan Euskatel Euskadi
27 Mertens,Tim Topsport Vlaanderen
28 Aramendia,Javier Euskatel Euskadi
29 Roche,Nicolas Ag2r La Mondiale
30 Bibby,Ian Team Halfords
31 Dion,Renaud Ag2r La Mondiale
32 Feillu,Brice Agritubel
33 Finetto,Mauro CSF Navigare
34 Kirchen,Kim Team Columbia-HTC
35 Briggs,Graham Candi-TV-Marshalls Pasta
36 Martin,Tony Team Columbia-HTC
37 Sonnery,Blaise Ag2r La Mondiale
38 Marangoni,Alan CSF Navigare
39 Williams,Peter Candi-TV-Marshalls Pasta
40 Vandewalle,Kristof Topsport Vlaanderen
41 Niermann,Grischa Rabobank
42 Laurent,Christophe Agritubel
43 Southam,Tom Rapha Condor
44 Sortveit,Sondre G Joker Bianchi
45 Nordhaug,Lars Petter Joker Bianchi
46 Reus,Kai Rabobank
47 Criel,Tom Topsport Vlaanderen
48 Kangert,Tanel Ag2r La Mondiale
49 Pauwels,Serge Cervelo Test Team
50 Elliott,Malcolm Candi-TV-Marshalls Pasta
51 Mortensen,Martin Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
52 Swift,Ben Team Katusha
53 Clancy,Edward Team Halfords
54 Vold,Svein Erik Joker Bianchi
55 Sampson,James Candi-TV-Marshalls Pasta
56 Zen,Enrico CSF Navigare
57 Holt,Simon Candi-TV-Marshalls Pasta
58 Van Groen,Arnoud Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team
59 Pozzato,Filippo Team Katusha
60 Lequatre,Geoffroy Agritubel
61 Tennant,Andrew Team Halfords
62 Vanheule,Bart Topsport Vlaanderen
63 Sconamiglio,Carlo Barloworld
64 Huzarsky,Bartozs ISD-Neri
65 Ten Dam,Laurens Rabobank
66 De Lis,Sergio Euskatel Euskadi
67 Petrov,Evgueni Team Katusha
68 Dockx,Gert Team Columbia-HTC
69 Lovkvist,Thomas Team Columbia-HTC
70 Soler,Mauricio Barloworld
71 Karpets,Vladimir Team Katusha
72 Newton,Chris Rapha Condor
73 Pozzovivo,Domenico CSF Navigare
74 Dessel,Cyril Ag2r La Mondiale
75 Lowe,Trent Garmin-Slipstream
76 De Gendt,Thomas Topsport Vlaanderen
77 Monfort,Maxime Team Columbia-HTC
78 Remme,Stian Joker Bianchi
79 Duyn,Huub Garmin-Slipstream
80 Colo,Alessandro ISD-Neri
81 Wilmann,Frederik Joker Bianchi
82 Cummings,Steven Barloworld
83 Stamsnijder,Tom Rabobank
84 Galdos,Aitor Euskatel Euskadi
85 Vogondy,Nicolas Agritubel
86 Savini,Filippo CSF Navigare
87 Berges,Emilien Agritubel
88 Bichot,Freddy Agritubel
89 Froome,Christopher Barloworld
90 Clarke,Simon ISD-Neri
91 Richardson,Simon Rapha Condor @15"
92 Stannard,Ian ISD-Neri
93 Wiggins,Bradley Garmin-Slipstream @51"
94 Agirre,Josu Euskatel Euskadi @02'03"
95 Pujol Munoz,Oscar Cervelo Test Team @04'18"
96 Lapthorne,Darren Rapha Condor @12'02"
97 Fleeman,Dan Cervelo Test Team @16'31"
98 Ricci Bitti,Davide ISD-Neri @ s/t
General Classification After Stage 3
1 Reus,Kai Rabobank 11h24'15"
2 Boasson Hagen,Edvald Team Columbia-HTC @11"
3 Sutton,Chris Garmin-Slipstream @12"
4 Merlo,Michel Barloworld @14"
5 Reimer,Martin Cervelo Test Team @17"
6 Kristoff,Alexander Joker Bianchi @19"
7 Ruygh,Rob Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team @23"
8 Downing,Russell Candi-TV-Marshalls Pasta @25"
9 Napolitano,Danilo Team Katusha @26"
10 Vanspeybrouck,Pieter Topsport Vlaanderen same time
11 Appollonio,Davide Cervelo Test Team same time
12 Honig,Reinier Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team same time
13 Wilkinson,Ian Team Halfords same time
14 Fernandez,Koldo Euskatel Euskadi same time
15 Brown,Graeme Rabobank same time
16 De Negri,Pierpaolo ISD-Neri same time
17 Lloyd,Daniel Cervelo Test Team same time
18 House,Kristian Rapha Condor same time
19 Elliott,Malcolm Candi-TV-Marshalls Pasta same time
20 Marangoni,Alan CSF Navigare same time
21 Dion,Renaud Ag2r La Mondiale same time
22 Williams,Peter Candi-TV-Marshalls Pasta same time
23 Aramendia,Javier Euskatel Euskadi same time
24 Canuti,Federico CSF Navigare same time
25 Kirchen,Kim Team Columbia-HTC same time
26 Thomas,Geraint Barloworld same time
27 Peterson,Tom Garmin-Slipstream same time
28 Pauwels,Serge Cervelo Test Team same time
29 Stannard,Ian ISD-Neri same time
30 Briggs,Graham Candi-TV-Marshalls Pasta same time
31 Lequatre,Geoffroy Agritubel same time
32 Van Groen,Arnoud Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team same time
33 Clarke,Simon ISD-Neri same time
34 Martin,Tony Team Columbia-HTC same time
35 Pozzato,Filippo Team Katusha same time
36 Holt,Simon Candi-TV-Marshalls Pasta same time
37 Stamsnijder,Tom Rabobank same time
38 Mortensen,Martin Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team @31"
39 Mertens,Tim Topsport Vlaanderen @37"
40 Velasco,Ivan Euskatel Euskadi same time
41 Golas,Michael Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team same time
42 Niermann,Grischa Rabobank same time
43 McNally,Mark Team Halfords same time
44 Laurent,Christophe Agritubel same time
45 Berkhout,Thomas Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team same time
46 Southam,Tom Rapha Condor same time
47 Nordhaug,Lars Petter Joker Bianchi same time
48 Roche,Nicolas Ag2r La Mondiale same time
49 Tennant,Andrew Team Halfords same time
50 Feillu,Brice Agritubel same time
51 Vandewalle,Kristof Topsport Vlaanderen same time
52 Sonnery,Blaise Ag2r La Mondiale same time
53 Sortveit,Sondre G Joker Bianchi same time
54 Huzarsky,Bartozs ISD-Neri same time
55 Sconamiglio,Carlo Barloworld same time
56 Criel,Tom Topsport Vlaanderen same time
57 Karpets,Vladimir Team Katusha same time
58 Duyn,Huub Garmin-Slipstream same time
59 Craven,Dan Rapha Condor same time
60 Sampson,James Candi-TV-Marshalls Pasta same time
61 Ten Dam,Laurens Rabobank same time
62 Lovkvist,Thomas Team Columbia-HTC same time
63 Finetto,Mauro CSF Navigare same time
64 Newton,Chris Rapha Condor same time
65 Vanheule,Bart Topsport Vlaanderen same time
66 Monfort,Maxime Team Columbia-HTC same time
67 Bichot,Freddy Agritubel same time
68 Dockx,Gert Team Columbia-HTC same time
69 Cummings,Steven Barloworld same time
70 Petrov,Evgueni Team Katusha same time
71 Remme,Stian Joker Bianchi same time
72 Clancy,Edward Team Halfords same time
73 Galdos,Aitor Euskatel Euskadi same time
74 Dessel,Cyril Ag2r La Mondiale same time
75 Froome,Christopher Barloworld same time
76 Pozzovivo,Domenico CSF Navigare same time
77 Soler,Mauricio Barloworld same time
78 De Lis,Sergio Euskatel Euskadi same time
79 Vogondy,Nicolas Agritubel same time
80 Berges,Emilien Agritubel same time
81 Wilmann,Frederik Joker Bianchi same time
82 Colo,Alessandro ISD-Neri same time
83 Swift,Ben Team Katusha @43"
84 Richardson,Simon Rapha Condor @52"
85 Savini,Filippo CSF Navigare @01'06"
86 Kangert,Tanel Ag2r La Mondiale @01'19"
87 Wiggins,Bradley Garmin-Slipstream @01'28"
88 Zen,Enrico CSF Navigare @01'47"
89 Agirre,Josu Euskatel Euskadi @03'50"
90 De Gendt,Thomas Topsport Vlaanderen @04'34"
91 Pujol Munoz,Oscar Cervelo Test Team @10'46"
92 Bibby,Ian Team Halfords @15'38"
93 Hayles,Robert Team Halfords @15'48"
94 Vold,Svein Erik Joker Bianchi @15'59"
95 Fleeman,Dan Cervelo Test Team @17'08"
96 Ricci Bitti,Davide ISD-Neri same time
97 Lowe,Trent Garmin-Slipstream @21'49"
98 Lapthorne,Darren Rapha Condor @30'57
Points Competition
1 Merlo,M BAR 38
2 Sutton,C GRM 35
3 Boasson Hagen,E THR 28
4 Kristoff,A TMB 27
5 Downing,R CTV 26
6 Napolitano,D KAT 23
7 Reimer,M CTT 21
8 Vanspeybrouck,P TSV 17
9 Appollonio,D CTT 16
10 De Negri,P ISD 16
Sprints Competition
1 De Gendt,T TSV 37
2 Reimer,M CTT 16
3 Reus,K RAB 11
4 Mortensen,M VAC 9
5 Ruygh,R VAC 6
6 Kangert,T ALM 4
7 Kristoff,A TMB 4
8 Lapthorne,D RCR 3
9 Boasson Hagen,E THR 2
10 Downing,R CTV 2
King of the Mountains
1 De Gendt,T TSV 35
2 Mortensen,M VAC 18
3 Southam,T RCR 13
4 Ruygh,R VAC 10
5 Reimer,M CTT 8
6 Lapthorne,D RCR 6
7 Reus,K RAB 5
8 Kangert,T ALM 5
9 Lovkvist,T THR 4
10 Thomas,G BAR 3
Teams
1 Rabobank 34h13'54"
2 Cervelo Test Team @ 09"
3 Candi-TV-Marshalls Pasta = s/t
4 Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team = s/t
5 ISD-Neri = s/t
6 Team Columbia-HTC = s/t
7 Team Halfords @ 20"
8 Euskatel Euskadi = s/t
9 Barloworld = s/t
10 Ag2r La Mondiale = s/t
11 Team Katusha = s/t
12 Garmin-Slipstream = s/t
13 CSF Navigare = s/t
14 Topsport Vlaanderen @ 31"
15 Agritubel = s/t
16 Rapha Condor = s/t
17 Joker Bianchi = s/t
