Tour de France 2004/3. stage

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Stand after 3rd stage
Stage winner Jean-Patrick Nazon 4:36:45 h
Second Erik Zabel + 0:00 min
Third Robbie McEwen + 0:00 min
Yellow jersey Robbie McEwen 13:42:34 h
Second Fabian Cancellara + 0:01 min
Third Jens Voigt + 0:09 min
Green jersey Robbie McEwen 93 P.
Second Jean-Patrick Nazon 85 P.
Third Jaan Kirsipuu 74 P.
Dotted jersey Paolo Bettini 19 p.
Second Janek Tombak 14 P.
Third Jens Voigt 9 p.
White jersey Fabian Cancellara 13:42:35 h
Second Tom Boonen + 0:27 min
Third Michele Scarponi + 0:32 min

The third stage of the Tour de France 2004 ran from the historical Belgian city of Waterloo via the Belgian industrial area to the French Wasquehal . At 210 km, this stage was also the second longest of this year's tour. The stage was characterized by two mountain ratings in the 3rd and 4th categories as well as three intermediate sprints . In addition, the stage led over cobblestone passages as known from the classic Paris – Roubaix .

Shortly after the start there was the first attack by the German Jens Voigt from the Danish team CSC and the Dutchman Bram de Groot from the Rabobank team . After just a few kilometers, they both had a one-minute lead. Since the field did not immediately follow suit, the duo's lead increased to 6:50 minutes. Due to the lead and the time bonuses that Voigt was able to achieve in intermediate sprints, he sometimes rode in the virtual yellow jersey.

The closer it got to the cobblestones, the more restless the field became. In addition, the US Postal team increased the pace of the field to bring Armstrong into a good forward position so that he would be spared falls.

Even before the first cobblestone passage there was a serious accident in which Iban Mayo , one of the favorites for the overall victory, was involved. However, Mayo was able to continue and tried to reconnect with his team on the field. On the first cobblestone passage, the US Postal team split the field due to an increase in speed. With the exception of Mayo, all of the top favorites were in the front row. The teams of the favorites - in addition to the US Postal team and the T-Mobile team, also the Phonak team - tried to keep the pace consistently high and thus further distance Mayo or at least make it more difficult to reconnect.

After a few kilometers, the two large fields joined together again, but the group around Mayo stayed behind. After 165 kilometers, the breakaway group was caught by the speeding field. The 184 drivers passed the second cobblestone passage without any major problems. The rear group around Iban Mayo and the wearer of the yellow jersey, Thor Hushovd , were no more than three minutes behind. During the last ten kilometers there were attacks by various teams, but these were quickly thwarted by the sprinter teams.

Jean-Patrick Nazon won the day ahead of Erik Zabel and Robbie McEwen . Iban Mayo is one of the biggest losers after this stage and has little chance of overall victory.

Intermediate sprints

Intermediate sprint 1 in Meerbeke (42 km)

First Jens Voigt 6 p. And 6 s
Second Bram de Groot, 4 p. And 4 s
Third Robbie McEwen, 2 p. And 2 s

Intermediate sprint 2 in Lessines (72.5 km)

First Jens Voigt 6 p. And 6 s
Second Bram de Groot, 4 p. And 4 s
Third Thor Hushovd, 2 p. And 2 s

Intermediate sprint 3 in Bachy (176.5 km)

First Danilo Hondo 6 p. And 6 s
Second Stuart O'Grady, 4 p. And 4 s
Third Jean-Patrick Nazon, 2 p. And 2 p

Mountain prices

Mountain Prize 1

Côte de Bruineput, category 4
First Bram de Groot , 3 points
Second Jens Voigt, 2 points
Third Paolo Bettini, 1 point

Mountain price 2

Côte de Muur, category 3
First Bram de Groot , 4 points
Second Jens Voigt, 3 points
Third Paolo Bettini, 2 points
Fourth Richardirusesque, 1 point