Tondo escapes to victory in Catalunya

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Xavier Tondo (Cervélo) out sprinted Joaquim Rodríguez (Katusha) to win the third stage of the Volta Catalunya in La Seu d'Urgell on Wednesday after the two Spaniards escaped from the peloton in the hills behind Barcelona.

The two went away 50km from the end of the 185km stage and held off a late chase from Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d’Epargne), who finished third at 48 seconds. Sandy Casar (Française des Jeux) brought home the leading group of chaser at 1:20, with Ireland’s Nicolas Roche (Ag2r-La Mondiale) finishing sixth in the same time as Casar.

“It was really important for me to win today as this stage is just seven kilometres from my home,” said Tondo after the race. “When I was young I dreamed of winning at the Catalunya, I know these roads very well. For me today it’s like a dream. I feel really good with this team with riders like Iñigo Cuesta supporting my efforts. Believe me that is very important. We all work for one goal and finally when you achieve something. It feels great.”

Thanks to his better placing in the opening time trial stage, Rodríguez is the new race leader. Tondo is 10 seconds behind, with Sanchez at 48 seconds. Roche is fourth at 1:20.

A hard day in the hills

The stage included four categorised climbs and many other minor ones, making for a hard day in the saddle after an opening time trial and a flat stage for the sprinters.

The first attack of the day went clear after only 13km when 21 riders opened a gap. They got over the Alt de la Trona climb but the race came back together after a fast first hour of action. Another group of 14 riders got away after 60km and this time the peloton eased its grip and they opened a three-minute lead. However that was as much as they could get as the climbs along the route and a constant pace by RadioShack and then by Liqiuigas-Doimo and Katusha, reduced their lead.

Five riders remained out front with 55km to go but behind, Tondo and Rodríguez attacked. Oscar Pereiro (Astana) joined them and they quickly opened a gap but then Pereiro dropped back on the final part of the Alt de la Josa del Cadí climb. Tondo and Rodríguez pressed on, committed to trying to win the stage.

They had a one minute lead with 10km to go after a fast descent towards the finish. Luis Leon Sanchez set off in lone pursuit but Tondo and Rodríguez worked well together and even gained more time before sharing the spoils of the successful escape.
Thursday’s 209.7km fourth stage is back near the Mediterranean, from Oliana to Ascó, but includes the Alt de Paumeres climb on the two finishing circuits.