Froome back in Yellow!

Stage 3 from Antwerp to Huy, the biggest talk was the final climb of the day, an intense kilometre climb with a 19% gradient. Cyclists called the climb as Murderous and Longest Kilometre in Cycling. Chris Froome was the happiest of the lot though, as he powered his way up the climb. Despite finishing second behind Joaquim Rodriguez, Chris Froome got 6 bonus seconds as a result. He finished 11 seconds ahead of his main rivals, allowing him to gain 17 seconds. This caps off 2 brilliant days for the British rider who has now catapulted himself up the General Classification to wear the Yellow Jersey.

The first withdrawals sadly happened today. 2 severe high speed pileups took place at 60km to go and 55kms to go, as teams began to prepare for the first of the 4 climbs. At the first crash, William Bonnet of FDJ slipped and caused a high speed pileup that saw Yellow Jersey wearer, Fabian Cancellara catapulted from the pileup into the ditch.

55kms to go, another crash caused the race officials to halt the race, to wait for other riders (if able) as nearly 40 riders were caught up according to reports. After the most serious injured riders were taken away by Ambulance, it was reported that the ambulances following the cyclists would be unavailable. Medical assistance, because of a pileup in the second crash could not reach those who needed it resulting in a delay.

After a 15 min wait, the race did resume in a neutralized manner up the first climb. Team Sky then started to break with 41kms to go. The other major favourites and their teams all responded. A group, which consisted of the injured Cancellara fell behind the main leaders and never managed to close the gap.

Froome and Contador duelled at the start of the final climb but Rodriguez made a rapid dash. He would not be caught despite Froome’s best effort. The 2013 Tour Winner is now back in Yellow, and we might be seeing him in that for quite a few stages now. Without a doubt, he is the biggest winner of the stage today. However, despite having 36 seconds over the nearest of the big 4, Tejay van Garderen is right on his trial, sitting 3 overall, 13 seconds behind. Froome should not underestimate the American rider.

The biggest loser of the stage would be Pierre Rolland who is now 60 overall, 6’42” seconds off Froome. His podium chances at Paris might be over already.

Injury in the Tour de France is inevitable. Even though these cyclists are tough, they might get involved in crashes that result in their inability to continue. 4 cyclists had to abandon the tour and there are several others who are walking injured but finished the Tour

The Cyclists that have withdrawn from the tour

1. Simmon Gerrans ,Orica GreenEDGE (AUS)
2. William Bonnet, FDJ (FRA)
3. Tom Dumoulin, Giant-Alpecin (NED, and the White Jersey leader at start of Stage 3)
4. Dimitry Kozonthuk, Team Katusha (RUS)