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Road

Reversal of fortune for Kessler

By Cycling News

published 20 July 2006

Like yesterday's stage to Esch-sur-Alzette, just one rider separated breakaway from bunch with five...

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Image 1 of 112

Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile)(Image credit: Jon Devich)

Michael Rogers (T-Mobile)(Image credit: Jon Devich)

Tom Boonen (Quick.Step)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Jerome Pineau (Bouygues)(Image credit: Jon Devich)

Credit Agricole works at the front to control the break.(Image credit: Jon Devich)

Jose Luis Arrieta (AG2R)(Image credit: Jon Devich)

Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile)(Image credit: Sirotti)

Johan Bruyneel (Discovery) explains his plans for the day.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) with bandage still in place, rolls to sign in.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) signing autographs at sign in.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) one of today's hopefuls, gives a pre-race interview.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

Jerome Pineau (Bouygues) leads the break earlier in the day.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

David Millar (Saunier Duval-Prodir) going strong on an early climb.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

Jose Luis Arrieta (AG2R) powers the break with over a 5 minute lead.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

Credit Agricole works at the front to control the break.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) spending another day in yellow.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

The bunch rolls through the town of Salmchateau.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) trying to get teammate Oscar Freire to the front.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) solos in for the win.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) more than happy with his win.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

Michael Rogers (T-Mobile) makes it a 1,2 stage for T-Mobile.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

Tom Boonen (Quickstep) takes over the yellow jersey.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

Tom Boonen (Quickstep) also took over as the sprint leader with today's win.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)

Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) crashed out and broke his collarbone. Philippe Gilbert also crashed, but was able to make it back to the peloton(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

The Cauberg was the main feature of today's stage(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Boogerd leads the bunch up the Cauberg(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) is quite happy with his stage win(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Michael Rogers (T-Mobile) celebrates a 1-2 for T-Mobile(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Filippo Pozzato (Quick.Step) after a tough day(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) is the new maillot jaune(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Freddy Maertens congratulations Boonen on his yellow jersey(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) attacks on the Cauberg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) gives it gas with Gilbert on his wheel(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) on the front(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) tries to keep Freire in contention(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Despite a deflating front tyre Tom Boonen looked good on the Cauberg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Popovych and Ballan(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Luca Paolini (Liquigas) keeps himself in contention(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Carlos Sastre and Frank Schleck lead George Hincapie(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) keeps it going(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Floyd Landis (Phonak) struggles on the Cauberg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Christophe Moreau (AG2R) fights for survival(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

A small group on the Cauberg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Carlos da Cruz (FDJ) on his own(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Florent Brard (Caisse d'Epargne) on the Cauberg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Pozzato and Backstedt were the last riders(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Dammit, this used to be easy(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

You're about 30 years behind the peloton(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

A large crowd greeted the Tour in Valkenburg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Dropped riders ascend the Cauberg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Sandy Casar (FDJ) comes up the Cauberg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) heads for home(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) wins the stage in Valkenburg(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Mick Rogers wins the sprint for second(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) comes home(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Iker Camano (Euskaltel) meets a group of finishers(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) winner of stage 3(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) with his winner's bouquet(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) gets up on the podium(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) salutes from the podium(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) the man in yellow(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) smiles with his lion(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) salutes in the yellow jersey(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

The World Champ salutes the crowd(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) pulls on the maillot vert(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) smiles in the green jersey(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) is congratulated by Freddy Maertens after winning the green(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Jerome Pineau (Bouygues) now in dots(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Markus Fothen is best young rider(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

The bunch rides through trees in stage 3(Image credit: AFP Photo)

Jerome Pineau (Bouygues) in the breakaway(Image credit: AFP Photo)

Jose Luis Arrieta (AG2R) starts to croak on the Cauberg(Image credit: AFP Photo)

Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile) is a happy chappy(Image credit: AFP Photo)

Tom Boonen (Quick.Step) celebrates with the yellow jersey(Image credit: AFP Photo)

Valkenburg Mayor Dr. Constant Nuytens is looking forward to his town hosting the third stage of the Tour de France on July 4 in Holland.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)

How to sell the Tour de France to men.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)

One time, at band camp...(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)

Le Départ, sans coureurs, one hour before the start in Esch-sur-Alzette.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)

The perennial voice of the Tour de France, Daniel Mangeas.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)

If looks could kill... don't mess with the Tour de France.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)

Mario Aerts had a strip running down his lower leg to help his knee track correctly when pedalling.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)

Green jersey leader Robbie McEwen will be looking to extend his lead in the points competition.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)

Gerolsteiner's great American hope, Levi Leipheimer.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)

Will Carlos Sastre be CSC's new leader? Time will tell.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)

Tom Boonen needs to score a stage victory to boost his confidence in the battle for the maillot vert.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)

Cedric Vasseur likes the Tour de France. The Tour de France likes Cedric Vasseur.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)

It's important to keep hydrated on days like this and make plenty of trips to the Aquarel tent. This mademoiselle had nothing to do with it.(Image credit: Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com)