Suisse: Schleck Attacks Late for Victory

Frank Schleck showed that he is one of the world class riders with a daring late attack at the end of stage 3. He went over the top of a group of about 12 riders and then outsprinted chaser Rigoberto Uran to the line for the stage. It was perfect timing from Schleck, who waited in the peloton until he saw the early breakaway start to collapse and then made his move at just the right time. He finished with the same time as Uran, and 3 seconds ahead of a group containing Gesink, Carrara, and Martin. That group finished 4 seconds ahead of the rest of the peloton, meaning that Martin will wear yellow for tomorrow's stage. Most of the rest of the field stayed the same, with a few riders unable to keep the pace in the mountains. Christian Vandevelde continued to lose even more time and now finds himself more than 18 minutes behind. He is obviously out of this race, but the bigger picture of the Tour de France looms ahead and if he is not riding his best, it could spell trouble for the Transitions rider. Another semi-flat stage tomorrow with some challenging climbs at the end. It could likely be won with an attack like today, or possibly even a sprint. I personally believe, however, that tomorrow is as good of a day as any for a breakaway to get free, if allowed by the leaders.

It should be interesting to watch the battle for the race win start to heat up tomorrow, and carry on through the week.

CLASSIFICATIONS AFTER STAGE 3

OVERALL

1. Tony Martin

2. Fabian Cancellara -1

3. Thomas Lovkvist -9

4. Rigoberto Uran -10

5. Dries Devenyns -11

6. Frank Schleck -13

11. Nicolas Roche -18

13. Levi Leipheimer -19

17. Robert Gesink -27

20. Matteo Carrara -29

21. Lance Armstrong -30

22. Ryder Hesjedal -30

27. Andy Schleck -37

31. Andreas Kloden -45

36. George Hincapie -54

38. Dave Zabriskie -56

MOUNTAINS

1. Alexandre Pliuschin 17

2. Aitor Hernandez 16

3. Mathias Frank 15

POINTS

1. Heinrich Haussler 20

2. Pablo Urtasun Perez 20

3. Fabian Cancellara 19

TEAM STANDINGS

1. Team Saxo Bank

2. Quick Step -28

3. Rabobank -38