Stage 3: Auburn - Modesto - 196.2km
Will cross winds shatter sprinters' hopes?
Stage three could present another day for the sprinters with a relatively flat to undulating 196.2 kilometre route beginning in Auburn and ending in Modesto. Opportunistic sprinters will have a chance to contest three Herbal Life intermediate sprints for points located in Folson, Ione and Oakdale at kilometre 30, 80 and 160 respectively. The peloton will continue along flat to undulating roads into the finishing circuits in Modesto.
Chris Horner:
"Stage three will definitely be the first time that a breakaway could possibly go the distance. Another factor could be the cross winds. If it is really windy that day, strong cross winds could cause splits in the field on the way into Modesto. It is a day that could give a breakaway a chance at making it to the line. However, I would bet more money on the sprinter teams being able to bring all the breakaways back, unless the cross winds are really strong."
Mike Tamayo:
"At a first glance to the profile, you might think; 121 miles flat boring stage. But, racing through the central valley of California equals, open agricultural fields and possible high winds. With the course heading predominantly south, the west wind could cause some major splits in the field.
"It is not a GC deciding day, but it won’t be a rest day either. For these guys fighting for position and the wheel of your teammate can be exhausting over the course of five hours. For a second day, watch out for the top sprinters to be grinning at the start line. It’s one of the few opportunities they will have to showcase their speed."
Map
Image ©: AEG Cycling
Profile
Image ©: AEG Cycling
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Most Popular
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Giro d'Italia 2024 - Stage 7 time trial start times
Julius van den Berg down the starting ramp at 13:10 CET local time to begin proceedings from Folingo -
Puncture and stop behind a crash in gravel stage fail to faze Cian Uijtdebroeks at Giro d’Italia
Visma-Lease a Bike racer in best young rider jersey sees Friday ITT as test for time trialling development -
'The race was out of control' - Luke Plapp savours a day of Giro d'Italia gravel racing rather than a sense of defeat
Australian goes deep in the attack and moves up in GC before key Perugia time trial -
'You can't win every day' – Tadej Pogačar holds fire on Giro d'Italia gravel with time trial in mind
Slovenian admits he would have been happy to lose pink jersey and avoid post-stage 'shenanigans'