Tour de Suisse (st. 3)

Portuguese still in the lead thanks to great teamwork in a stage marked by a closed railroad crossing that made a significant impact in the breakaway's chase

The almost 200-kilometer stage thee of the Tour de Suisse between Martigny and Aarberg was handled well by Rui Costa and Movistar Team as the Portuguese rider continues with the yellow jersey on his shoulders. The great teamwork by Costa’s seven team-mates, always on top positions within the big group, allowed Costa keeping the coveted jersey after an action-packed day where an incident with a closed railroad crossing, located 60k from the finish, was near to making a significant impact into the course of the race. There, the leading trio all day –Vangenechten (LBL), Bonnafond (ALM) and Morkov (SAX)- passed with just over 6 minutes over a bunch pushed by Movistar Team, that found the barriers prior to the railroad starting to get down. The telephone squad’s riders and ten other riders were able to get through before the crossing was closed, but were forced to stop by the Jury and wait for the rest of the group.

The happening make the escapees’ gap grow to 8.30 with only 45k from the finish line, but the impulse by several squads made possible to bring the leaders back into the final kilometer before a dangerous sprint won by Peter Sagan (LIQ), with José Joaquín Rojas in 11th spot. A second attempt for Movistar Team to keep the jersey will come on day four, on a similar route to Monday’s as two Cat, 2. and 3 climbs are tackled in the final kilometers of a 188k stage from Aarberg to Trimbach/Olten.