A bid to toughen up the race from afar on a day with two big Pyrenean climbs
44º Ronde de l´Isard
Stage 3: Pierrefitte-Nestalas – Bagneres-de-Bigorre (134 km)
The first day with Pyrenean mountains has left the Norwegian Johannes Staune-Mittet in the lead of the general classification of the Ronde de l’Isard. The Nordic rider won alone in a stage in which Fernando Tercero from La Mancha was the first of the riders of the blue formation at the finish line (30th), arriving in the first bunch that finished 1’31 behind the winner. Tercero is now 21st overall, 1’46” behind the winner.
The stage with the Horquette d’Ancizan and the Aspin on the route saw a very ambitious move by the U23 team of the Contador Foundation. The structure directed by Rafa Díaz Justo included four of its riders in a breakaway of 18 units that was configured after the 30th kilometre.
Álex Martín, David Martín, Javi Serrano and Andrea Montoli rode in a vanguard that had more than three minutes of margin and that with the passing of the kilometres and the appearance of the slopes was being selected. On the Aspin, Álex remained in front, a moment favoured by the great previous work of his teammates, while in the group came the attacks, with Tercero very attentive and finally crowning in fourth position in this mythical mountain pass.
For this Saturday, a high finish. The Plateau-de-Beille winter sports centre hosts the end of a fourth stage in which the great difficulty will be located in the final climb. A climb of great importance, a stage finish in the Tour de France, with 16 kilometres of ascent and an average gradient of over 7.8%.
