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Stage 3 - January 17: Willunga - Willunga, 149km

Complete live report

Start time: 11:00
Finish time: 14:44

Welcome to the third stage coverage of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under. Today's stage is similar in length to stage 2, 149 kilometres around a circuit starting and finishing in Willunga. The race is three laps, but on the last lap the riders will deviate towards Old Willunga Hill. This tough climb will see the day's only King of the Mountains sprint, coming with 20 kilometres to go and it should prove decisive in determining the outcome of the stage.

The day's other points of interest are two intermediate points/time bonus sprints. They are located at the start/finish in McLaren Vale, and come at km 34.9 and km 76.6.

11:17 - 11 km

The stage has started with a lot of aggression being shown early on. In the opening kilometres, Servais Knaven (Domo Farm Frites), Glenn d'Hollander (Lotto Adecco) and David Pell (United Water) attacked with no success. Then followed Joerg Ludewig (Saeco), Glenn d'Hollander (again) and Robert Tighello (AIS), who also could not get clear.

The stage is very windy, and if this continues the peloton will be split into small groups by the finish. Already, Jonathan Vaughters (Crédit Agricole) and Nicolas Vogondy (La Française Des Jeux) are in trouble.

11:26 - 14 km

Hans De Clercq (Lotto Adecco) has become the first successful attacker, setting off solo after 11 km to build a 1 minute lead. He rides past the crowds lining the route, the decorated houses, and frontyard parties. He's now riding alongside the sea in Aldinga Beach and will get a tailwind soon.

A couple of Australian riders, David Pell (United Water) and Steve Cunningham (UniSA) are attempting to chase him and are at 50 seconds. However, they get caught.

11:38 - 25 km

De Clercq is also caught and his teammate Glenn d'Hollander attacks with Tristan Hoffman (CSC - Tiscali). The bunch is really racing hard now, with constant attacks into this very strong wind.

Cyclingnews' Gabbi Ekström spoke d'Hollander before the start of today's stage: "I'm mainly working for Robert [McEwen]. I hope to win tomorrow. I had a long season last year, ending with the Japan Cup. That means a short winter before the start of this race."

"But it's a good race, nice course, very hard. It's the first race for me as a European while the Australians are in the middle of their season. I might try to go with the break."

11:46 - 32 km

With three kilometres to go until the first sprint in McLaren Vale, Glenn d'Hollander and Tristan Hoffman have 1/05 on the bunch, and should take out the first two spots.

Telekom's Kai Hundertmarck was interviewed by Cyclingnews this morning: "It's going to be a hard day with the wind and the climbs. I think Mapei will be riding strongly. We're going to try and set Wesemann up in a good position. He is the only one who has a chance on GC. I'll see how I go over the climbs and after that I'll see what happens."

11:56 - 35 km

The results of the first sprint: 1. Tristan Hoffman (CSC - Tiscali), 2. Glenn d'Hollander (Lotto Adecco), 3. Robbie McEwen (Lotto Adecco). Both Hoffman and d'Hollander still have a handy lead but Saeco is controlling the bunch, trying to bring them back.

Robbie McEwen was looking happy (and quite non-agressive) with his most aggressive rider award this morning. "I have been riding pretty aggressively. I think I deserved it. When I came here I was looking for a stage win and on the second day I wanted to be in the break. So I'm happy with that."

Are you looking for the leader's jersey? "I'd much rather ride in my Australian champion's jersey. Maybe I can take the sprint jersey. The last stage might suit me, also stage 4."

"I'm looking forward to this year. I have been promised the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia. I'll do the Giro as preparation for the Tour. My wife is going to have a baby during the Giro, due on the 25th of May. I hope I can go home then."

Do you have many fans here? "I think I have a few as there was strong support in Glenelg. I'm lucky I don't have to have my head on a stick like Stuart [O'Grady]. Also it's good to be in front of the crowds in the national champion's jersey."

12:03 - 41 km

The first lap has been completed and Glenn d'Hollander and Tristan Hoffman are still away. They have 1'30 lead on the bunch that is basically all together.

Henk Vogels (AIS) has abandoned the race. He has had bronchitis for the last few days and it's been getting worse. Bad luck for the former Australian champion.

We spoke with race leader Fabio Sacchi's Saeco teammate Igor Astarloa this morning. Astarloa is one of the men responsible for defending Sacchi's leader's jersey. "Obviously going to work for Fabio," he said. "I think a break will go away. Maybe the whole peloton will split up in the wind."

"The team is very happy with the jersey. But Mick Rogers has a good chance. He has good morale, and a good team. He might be strong towards the end. Lotto and Domo should be the other teams to watch."

However, he's hoping to see a bit more wildlife. "I'm a bit disappointed because I haven't seen any wild kangaroos."

12:15 - 47 km

The lead of the front pair of riders is still increasing - it's up to 2'40 after 47 kilometres of racing. They could well stay away until the climb of Old Willunga Hill unless there is a reaction in the peloton, even though that doesn't come until km 129.

The wind makes chasing difficult, as a lot of riders will be simply fighting for position in the echelons rather than worrying about who is up the road.

12:28 - 55 km

The gap has grown again and is now out to 4 minutes as Glenn d'Hollander and Tristan Hoffman ride past the crowds again at Aldinga Beach. So far, there has been no real threat to Fabio Sacchi's leader's jersey, as both these riders are over 8 minutes down on the general classification.

Sacchi was counting on some protection from the strong headwind that was blowing into the riders' faces on the start line in Willunga this morning. He was expecting to be sheltered within the peloton by his seven teammates, who will have their work cut out for them on this stage, given that arch-rivals Mapei Quick-Step were preparing to go on the attack and there is considerable rivalry among the Italian squads. He told Cyclingnews' reporter Karen Forman he "was feeling very good today. I like the hills and I'm not afraid of the wind - it's always windy in Belgium, and I race there".

12:40 - 63 km

The front of the peloton is a sea of red Saeco-Longoni sport jerseys, as they are riding to protect the lead of Fabio Sacchi. They can allow d'Hollander and Hoffman a little more rope though, and will probably start to bring it back in the last 50 kilometres. Glenn d'Hollander is a talented rider and despite it being the first race of the year for him, he shouldn't be underestimated.

The other team to watch today is Mapei-Quick step, who have three riders in the top 15 on GC (not counting Michael Rogers, who rides for the AIS but is also a member of the Young Mapei squad). Daniele Nardello is one of the danger men. The Italian champion is currently in eighth place on GC, some 45 seconds behind Fabio Sacchi, and is well placed to use his natural aggression and sprinting ability to move higher up the rankings. In the first two stages of the tour, he has been prominent by participating in either the main breaks or being one of the chasers.

This morning Nardello told Cyclingnews' Karen Forman that "today I'm feeling really good. Today we attack, every day, every stage is good for attack, and today anything is possible."

12:49 - 67 km

The gap is now 5'03 as Saeco leads the bunch. There is still no desire to chase, and these two may get another few minutes before anyone panics.

Cadel Evans, Mapei's new recruit from the top shelf of the MTB world was "feeling much better and getting used to the rhythm of the race".

Although Evans is mostly known for his success as a MTB rider, he has entered the Jacob's Creek tour Down Under before and said "it's a funny race this year, because when a break goes the race is over, it's gone".

Evans was referring to the serious break which went clear yesterday and also on stage 1. The result is that less than a minute separates the first 15 riders on GC, with the remainder of the peloton plainly out of contention some eight minutes in arrears.

As for Mapei, they have three riders within the group of 15 (Tafi, Daniele Nardello and Evans) and the team was looking to go on the offensive. "Hopefully today we will all attack everybody and win the (leader's) jersey. I'm out of contention because I'm 50 seconds down," which leaves Andrea Tafi - currently in third place on GC - as Mapei's best prospect for the overall honours, although Nardello cannot be ruled out.

12:59 - 76 km

The second sprint at McLaren Vale has been won by Glenn d'Hollander (Lotto) who led Tristan Hoffman (CSC-Tiscali) across the line. In third place was Domo Farm Frites rider Jans Koerts, the current leader in the sprints competition.

The riders will soon start their third and last lap to of the McLaren Vale circuit before heading out to Old Willunga Hill.

13:09 - 81 km

The gap has finally stabilised at 5'04, and it should start to come down on this final lap. Question is, will they be allowed to stay away for the stage win, or will a big move happen on Willunga Hill?

Local favourite and defending champion Stuart O'Grady said this morning that "I'm going to try and stay with the leaders. Because obviously I'm not going to be able to drop them one at a time. After the sprint we'll see what happens. Saeco and Mapei want a smaller break to go away. That might happen."

13:20 - 86 km

With 63 kilometres to go, it's clear that the leading riders are hurting. Their heads are bobbing up and down, they're standing up and stretching - but there's still another 90 minutes of racing in front of them. Their lead is now 6 minutes, still comfortable.

The third Mapei Quick Step rider in contention for GC is experienced Italian Andrea Tafi. Currently in third place on GC only five seconds behind, Tafi was concerned by the strong headwind that would be blowing into the peloton during this morning's stage in Willunga. "It will be difficult (for a sprint) on the finish line and I'm hoping that (Daniele) Nardello and (Cadel) Evans will help if it's a sprint. I'd like to win one stage, but the whole the race will be difficult (to win) because I'm not really a sprinter," he told Cyclingnews' Karen Forman on the start line in Willunga.

"If you want to go to the front and attack with three or four riders it may be possible to win. I don't know because of the conditions and there is a big vento (wind)."

Tafi said he as it was the first stage race of the year he "was still finding his rhythm and normally after the three stages I will be feeling very good".

13:45 - 101 km

After 101 kilometres, Glenn d'Hollander and Tristan Hoffman still lead by 4'00. However, there is a lot of action behind them in the peloton now. Danilo Hondo (Telekom) and Stefano Zanini (Mapei Quick Step) both tried to attack, to no avail. But Mapei is being really aggressive on the front of the bunch.

The leaders are on the last half of the third lap, before heading off to the climb.

13:57 - 111 km

The leaders are really getting tired now, but may be able to get up Old Willunga Hill in the lead. The Mapei aggression has resulted in Cadel Evans escaping, and he trails the front two by 2'40. The peloton is another 30 seconds behind Cadel.

14:06 - 124 km

They're 5 kilometres from the top of climb now, and the gap is still 2'50 between Evans and the two leaders. All eyes will be on what happens behind, as the 15 riders in GC contention will be trying to drop each other.

14:18 - 132 km

Results of the KOM at Old Willunga Hill: 1. Glenn d'Hollander (Lotto Adecco) 2. Cadel Evans (Mapei Quick Step), 3. Nicolas Vogondy (La Française Des Jeux) 4. Scott Sunderland (Australian Institute Of Sport) 5. Patrick Jonker (UniSA).

So, Tristan Hoffman has been absorbed by the peloton which was very strung out over the top of the climb. However, Glenn d'Hollander clearly crossed first, followed by Cadel Evans (not Laszlo Bodrogi as reported earlier) at 10-15 seconds.

14:25 - 137 km/12 km to go

Glenn d'Hollander (Lotto Adecco) now leads a group of riders: Alexandre Botcharov and Inigo Chaurreau Bernadez (AG2r-Prevoyance), Daniele Nardello (Mapei Quick Step), Nicolas Vogondy (La Française Des Jeux), Cadel Evans (Mapei Quick Step), Scott Sunderland, Robert Tighello, Michael Rogers (Australian Institute Of Sport), Patrick Jonker (UniSA) and Peter Dawson (United Water) by 20 seconds. They quickly close the gap to the tired Belgian.

11 riders lead the main peloton with the yellow jersey, Fabio Sacchi, chasing hard.

14:30 - 140 km/9 km to go

The leading group is now: Steffen Wesemann, Bobby Julich (Telekom), Chris Jenner (Crédit Agricole), Daniele Nardello, Cadel Evans (Mapei Quick Step), Alexandre Botcharov, Inigo Chaurreau Bernadez (Ag2r-Prevoyance), Tomas Konecny (Domo Farm Frites), Peter Dawson (United Water), Nicolas Vogondy (La Française Des Jeux), Robert Tighello, Michael Rogers, Scott Sunderland (Australian Institute Of Sport), Jakob Piil (CSC - Tiscali) and Robbie McEwen (Lotto Adecco).

14:34 - 143 km/6 km to go

Sacchi is sitting in third wheel in the chasing group and bridges the gap to the leaders. There are now 40 riders in the front group.

Kevin Hulsmans (Mapei Quick Step) and Nicolas Vogondy (La Française Des Jeux) attack, and are joined by one other.

14:38 - 146 km/3 km to go

The peloton is together with 3 kilometres to go. Telekom is controlling the pace, and Credit Agricole is at the back. Sacchi attacks and gets a small gap!

14:41 - 149 km/0 km to go

And Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Adecco) takes his second stage win of the tour, in a bunch sprint. Fabio Sacchi should retain the leader's jersey.

"I'm happy to keep racing for stage wins," said McEwen after the stage. "It was an aggressive race in the beginning. There were two guys in front for most of the day. Saeco was doing all the work in the front."

"I just managed to hang in over the climb and then I felt good. I took advantage of the Telekom team riding at the front and came into the sprint."

Results

1 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto-Adecco
2 Luca Paolini (Ita) Mapei Quick Step
3 Scott Sunderland (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport


General classification after stage 3

1 Fabio Sacchi (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport

Sprints classification

1 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto-Adecco

King of the Mountains classification

1 Scott Sunderland (Aus) Australian Institute of Sport

Best young rider

Dave McPartland (Aus) United Water

Most aggressive rider 

Glenn d'Hollander (Bel) Lotto-Adecco

Results

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