Daniel Lloyd (Team IG-Sigma Sport) returns to the saddle to preview today’s third stage of the 2012 Tour of Britain.
The riders will travel north of the border for the 161.4km, rolling stage from Jedburgh to Dumfries; the most northerly point of the race.
Headwinds were a factor when the race visited Scotland last year for the opening stage, says Lloyd, and could be again today. A rider can save 30 per cent of his energy by pedaling in the slipstream of another, he adds; a benefit multiplied by cycling in the middle of the bunch.
Today’s stage grants further opportunities for points in both the Skoda King of the Mountains competition and the Yodel sprints competition.
There are two intermediate sprints in which Lloyd says points are awarded to the first five riders across the line, and three categorised climbs.
The riders will roll out of Abbey Place in Jedburgh at 11am and are expected to contest what Lloyd believes could be a sprint finish in Dumfries Whitesands at just after 2.30pm.
Check back later for our report and a rider’s analysis of the stage with Team UK Youth road captain, Magnus Backstedt.
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