Vuelta 2015 stage 3: Sagan outsprints Bouhanni and Degenkolb

In 158.4 kilometres the course leads from Mijas to Malaga. Two climbs in the first half of racing, while the second half is tailor made for the sprinters. After the break of the day is reeled in with 15 kilometres left, Sagan powers to the win. It is his first stage win in a Grand Tour since 2013. Chaves retains the GC lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 3rd stage Vuelta

1. Peter Sagan (svk)
2. Nacer Bouhanni (fra) s.t.
3. John Degenkolb (ger) s.t.
4. Jean-Pierre Drucker (lux) s.t.
5. Maximilliano Richeze (arg) s.t.
6. Kristian Sbaragli (ita) s.t.
7. Mitchell Docker (aus) s.t.
8. Jasper Stuyven (bel) s.t.
9. Vicente Reynés (spa) s.t.
10. Tom Van Asbroeck (bel) s.t.

GC after stage 3
1. Esteban Chaves (col)
2. Tom Dumoulin (nld) + 0.05
3. Nicolas Roche (irl) + 0.15
4. Daniel Martin (irl) + 0.24
5. Joaquim Rodriguez (spa) + 0.36
6. Nairo Quintana (col) s.t.
7. Chris Froome (gbr) + 0.40
8. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 0.41
9. Daniel Moreno (spa) s.t.
10. Fabio Aru (ita) + 0.47

Race report
Once the flag is dropped, Sylvain Chavanel, Maarten Tjallingi, Walter Pedraza and Martin Velits power away, while Alexis Gougeard, Omar Fraile, Natnael Berhane and Ilia Koshevoy bridge the gap. When cresting Alto de Mijas they enjoy a lead of 3 minutes. Omar Fraile takes most KOM points with Sylvain Chavanel second and Natnael Berhane third.

Then Orica-GreenEdge brings the breakaway’s lead a little down, but then the gap is widening again to over 4 minutes. There it lingers, until the breakaway reaches the summit of the Puerto del Leon with a 3’20” advantage. Again, Fraile is the first to crest, so he takes the lead in the KOM-classification.

When the pack brings the gain down to 2 minutes, Fraile, Chavanel, Gougeard and Tjallingii leave their companions. Berhane and Pedraza manage to hook up. Slowly but deliberately the pack comes closer. Too close, as far as Tjallingii and Gougeard are concerned, and they give it a go. But with 15 km’s left the last warriors are reeled in.

more to follow