GP Portugal Telecom - 2.4

Portugal, March 15-18, 2000

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Stage 3 - March 17: Pombal-Covilja (Penhas da Suade) 200.4 km

Osa over the top

The third stage of the Grande Prémio Portugal Telecom saw a change in the overall rankings, as the first serious climbs were faced. The 200.4 km race between Pombal and Covilja saw race leader and winner of stages 1 and 2, Max van Heeswijk (Ned, Mapei) being left behind as the bunch hit the mountains.

The day was dominated by Spaniard Aitor Osa, of the Banesto steam who made a long breakaway, culminating with the mountain finish at Penhas da Saúde. He was closely followed by Maia-MSS' José Azevedo, who took over the mountains jersey in the process. The remainder of the bunch came in fragmented behind Osa, who now holds the leaders jersey coming into the final stage, a 23.3 km time trial between Tortosendo and Covilhã.

Pavel Tonkov, from Mapei is well positioned to take the event at only 47 seconds down, however Azevedo might have the advantage as he is quite good against the clock. Osa's thirty second lead plus the yellow jersey will be a significant advantage however.

Results

1 Aitor Osa (Spa) Banesto 				     5.18.04 
2 José Azevedo (Por) Maia-MSS 					0.30
3 José Alberto Martinez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 		0.38
4 Pavel Tonkov (Rus) Mapei-Quick Step				0.47
5 Rui Lavarinhas (Por) Maia-MSS					1.17
6 Paolo Lanfranchi (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step			1.46
7 Victor Gamito (Por) Porta da Ravessa				1.48
8 Joaquim Augusto Gomes De Oliveria (Por) LA-Pecol-Calbrita	2.01
9 Eligio Requejo Dominguez (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca		2.03
10 Pedro Cardoso (Por) Maia-MSS					2.09

General classification after stage 3:

1 Aitor Osa (Spa) Banesto 				    14.23.40
2 José Azevedo (Por) Maia-MSS 					0.31
3 José Alberto Martinez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 		0.44
4 Pavel Tonkov (Rus) Mapei-Quick Step				0.57
5 Rui Lavarinhas (Por) Maia-MSS					1.27
6 Paolo Lanfranchi (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step			1.55 
7 Victor Gamito (Por) Porta da Ravessa				1.56 
8 Joaquim Augusto Gomes De Oliveria (Por) LA-Pecol-Calbrita	2.11 
9 Eligio Requejo Dominguez (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca		2.13 
10 Pedro Cardoso (Por) Maia-MSS					2.19