June 4/11 21:56 pm - Coupe des Nations – Ville de Saguenay: Stage 3

Posted by Editoress on 06/4/11
 

Results from the 3rd stage of the Coupe des Nations – Ville de Saguenay

The Danish team retained their hold of the leader's jersey on stage four of the Coupe des Nations – Ville de Saguenay, which will now be worn by Christopher Juul-Jensen, who finished 11th. However, Kazakh rider Arman Kamyshev was the fastest at the end of the 141 kilometre race's third stage.  Algerian Youcef Reguigui and Italian Boem Nicola battled hard for the victory, but both had to admit defeat, finishing in second and third place.

"Our goal today was to keep our hands on the yellow jersey," confided the new leader of the overall ranking. "Tomorrow's strategy will be the same. I'm confident. All the team riders are riding well," added the U23 National silver medallist.

Under a blazing sun, the 64 athletes still listed took off on the 14.1 kilometre course, which they had to complete ten times. The members of Denmark's team were controlling the peloton most of the race in order to protect the yellow jersey.

During the first 100 kilometers, none of the breakaway attempts ended up successful, even though two fugitives tried to prove the opposite. The duo saw their advantage melt like the snow under the sun, when the Danish machine went on the seventh lap. Once the junction was made, many competitors also gave it a shot.

Attacks followed one another at a frenetic pace. About 20 cyclists were finally able to pull out from the bunch at the bottom of the next to last ascension of the famous Desmeules climb. The leading group slowly disintegrated in the last loop to 12 riders. Kamyshev took possession of the white jersey of Best Young Rider.

The polka dot jersey (Mountain Classification) stayed in possession of French Warren Barguil, while Italian Nicola Boem claimed the green jersey (Points Classification).

The 2011 Coupe des Nations – Ville de Saguenay will come to an end Sunday, with the 128.4 kilometre final stage.