Meyer makes brave bid for stage victory but caught near finish
HTC Columbia rider Michael Albasini ripped the yellow jersey from the shoulders of Greg Henderson with a storming display on today’s third stage of the Tour of Britain. The Swiss competitor had started the day as Henderson’s closest rival, 14 seconds back, but the Team Sky rider was dropped on the first category climb of Black Mountain.
Albasini and team-mate Tony Martin then got clear of this group on the descent, bridging across to an earlier move which was itself chasing lone leader Cameron Meyer (Garmin Slipstream). Martin powered the group onwards, but Meyer was only caught heading into Swansea, having stayed clear until less than five kilometres to go.
With Henderson’s bunch over a minute back crossing the start/finish line, it was clear that the jersey would change hands. Albasini had more left to give and pushed hard on the gruellingly-steep climb of Constitution Hill, pulling clear of the other riders.
“I rode hard but kept something in reserve in case someone attacked,” he said at the finish. “However I looked back and saw that I had dropped the others, so I really went for it then.”
He raced down the descent and hit the line eight seconds ahead of the next riders, Ian Bibby (Motorpoint – Marshall’s Pasta) and Stijn Neirynck (Topsport Vlaanderen). Meyer ended an impressive and very courageous day by netting fourth place, 21 seconds back, while An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly rider Mark McNally was a solid fifth.
Richie Porte (Saxo Bank) was best of those who were back in the Henderson group, opening a gap on the climb and reaching the finish one minute 15 seconds behind the new race leader Albasini. Henderson was a further 12 seconds back in 13th place.
“I hit the hill first in the bunch and was able to take the smooth side up,” Porte said, referring to the cobblestone sections he was able to avoid. “I was in the group with Albasini early on but someone let the wheel go on the descent and we couldn’t get back to them,” he said. “It’s disappointing but I’ll keep trying for the win. There are some interesting stages coming up.”
The early part of the stage was animated by that move containing Meyer and eight others. It started soon after Heinrich Haussler (Cervélo Test Team) won the bonus sprint in Llandrindod Wells (km 37.3), with the Garmin Transitions rider and Pim Lighart (Vacansoleil) being the first to go. They were joined by Evan Oliphant (Endura Racing), Simon Richardson (Sigma Sport-Specialized), Ian Bibby (Motorpoint Marshall’s Pasta), Mark McNally (An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly, Stijn Neirynck (Topsport Vlaanderen), Albert Timmer (Skil-Shimano) and Elva Favilli (ISD-Neri), and were three minutes 25 seconds ahead when they hit the climb of Black Mountain.
Meyer attacked before the halfway point on the climb and crested the summit well clear of lone pursuer Lighart, with the others further back and chasing.
Behind, Albasini and Martin shed Henderson on the climb and then got clear of their group on the descent, bridging across to the chasers and later catching Meyer on the run in towards the finish.
Henderson eventually finished 13th, 1 minute 27 seconds back, and dropped to second overall. He is one minute 26 seconds behind Albasini and, according to Sky directeur sportif Steven de Jongh, can no longer win this race. “Albasini is going too well and I think we will just concentrate on stages now,” he said.
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Tour of Britain, (2.1, September 11-18):
September 13, Stage 3: Newtown – Swansea:
1, Michael Albasini (Team HTC – Columbia) 149.7 kilometres in 3 hours 40 mins 37 secs
2, Ian Bibby (Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta) at 8 secs
3, Stijn Neirynck (Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator
4, Cameron Meyer (Garmin – Transitions) at 21 secs
5, Mark McNally (An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly) at 28 secs
6, Simon Richardson (Sigma Sport – Specialized) at 31 secs
Sprint 1 – Llandrindod Wells: 1, Heinrich Haussler (Cervelo Test Team) 5 pts
Sprint 2 – Llangadog: 1, Pim Lighart (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team) 5 pts
Sprint 3 – Gwaun Cae Gurwen: 1, Cameron Meyer (Garmin – Transitions) 5 pts
KOM 1 – Gwynant (Cat 3):
1, Wout Poels (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team) 4 pts
2, Jeremy Hunt (Cervelo Test Team) 3
3, Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team) 2
KOM 2 – Black Mountain (Cat 1):
1, Cameron Meyer (Garmin – Transitions) 10 pts
2, Pim Lighart (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team) 8
3, Ian Bibby (Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta) 6
KOM – Constitution Hill (Cat 1):
1, Michael Albasini (Team HTC – Columbia) 10 pts
2, Stijn Neirynck (Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator) 8
3, Ian Bibby (Motorpoint – Marshalls Pasta) 6
Teams:
1, Team HTC-Columbia, 11 hours 5 mins 16 secs
2, Topsport Vlaanderen, at 27 secs
3, Garmin-Transitions, at 32 secs
General classification after stage 3:
1, Michael Albasini (Team HTC – Columbia) 10 hours 57 mins 1 secs
2, Greg Henderson (Team Sky) at 1 min 26 secs
3, Richie Porte (Team Saxo Bank) at 1 min 28 secs
4, Borut Bozic (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team) at 1 min 41 secs
5, Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team) at 1 min 46 secs
6, Michael Golas (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team) at 2 mins 8 secs
Points classification:
1, Greg Henderson (Team Sky) 31 pts
2, Michael Albasini (Team HTC – Columbia) 30
3, André Greipel (Team HTC – Columbia) 15
Other:
14, Mark McNally (An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly) 11
Sprint classification:
1, Richie Porte (Team Saxo Bank) 15 pts
2, Michael Golas (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team) 8
3, Heinrich Haussler (Cervelo Test Team) 8
Other:
13, Mark McNally (An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly) 3
Mountains classification:
1, Richie Porte (Team Saxo Bank) 36 pts
2, Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team) 26
3, Wout Poels (Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team) 20
Other:
16, Mark McNally (An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly) 6
Teams classification:
1, Vacansoleil Pro Cycling, 32 hours 56 mins 21 secs
2, Sky Pro Cycling Team, at 5 mins 3 secs
3, Garmin-Transitions, at 10 mins 31 secs