Today will see the last stage of the Giro d’Italia to be held in Belgium before the race moves onto its home-ground of Italy.
Yesterday’s stage was eventful for Italian sprinter Alessandro Petacchi whose dream of bettering the legendary Fausto Coppi’s 22 Giro stage wins was shattered, along with his kneecap, when he crashed in the wet. He has an operation set for Wednesday but it sadly looks as if he’ll be forced to pull out of the Tour de France in July.
In Monday’s third stage from Perwez to Namur, Stefan Schumacher took the overall lead beating Jose Luis Rubiera and Gerolsteiner team-mate Davide Rebellin on the final climb into Namur.
We’ll update you on the results from today’s 193-km ride from Wanze to Hotton as the Giro transfers to Italy tomorrow.
Giro d’Italia stage three result:
1. Stefan Schumacher (Ger/Gerolsteiner) 5 hours 14 minutes 41 seconds
2. Jose Luis Rubiera (Esp/Discovery Channel) +2secs
3. Davide Rebellin (Ita/Gerolsteiner) +6secs
4. Paolo Bettini (Ita/Quick-Step) same time
5. Philippe Gilbert (Bel/Francaise des Jeux)
6. Jens Voigt (Ger/Team CSC)
7. Andrea Moletta (Ita/Gerolsteiner)
8. Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Esp/Caisse d’Epargne)
9. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita/Discovery Channel)
10. Franco Pellizotti (Ita/Liquigas) + 9secs
Giro d’Italia overall standings:
1. Stefan Schumacher (Ger/Gerolsteiner) 10 hours 14 minutes 4 seconds
2. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita/Discovery Channel) + 13secs
3. Davide Rebellin (Ita/Gerolsteiner) + 23secs
4. Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Esp/Caisse d’Epargne) + 29secs
5. Jose Luis Rubiera (Esp/Discovery Channel) + 31secs
6. Sergei Gontchar (Ukr/T-Mobile) same time
7. Bradley McGee (Aus/Francaise des Jeux) same time
8. Francisco Perez (Esp/Caisse d’Epargne) + 32secs
9. Jose Enrique Gutierrez (Esp/Phonak) + 33secs
10. Michael Rogers (Australia / T-Mobile) + 37secs