TDF Stage 3: Waregem - Compiègne

Fabian Cancellara celebrates his amazing stage victory!!!
George Hincapie and Levi Leipheimer ride together during today's stage. George is nursing some injuries sustained in yesterday's pile up.
American Freddie Rodriguez is also going through some considerable pain as he struggles to stay in the tour. He has 10 stitches in his elbow from yesterday as well as many contusions.

In a stunning display of tactics, courage and pure power, race leader Fabian Cancellara timed his jump to perfection, overtaking a four-man breakaway with 500 meters to go and then holding off the hard charging sprinters to win stage 3 of the Tour de France Tuesday. Cancellara, not known as a bunch sprinter, was trying to make sure that none of the riders in the 4 man breakaway overtook him in the Overall. He took it upon himself to bridge the gap to preserve his lead. The 2005 Paris-Roubaix winner certainly showed class and panache as he defended his jersey in the most exciting stage finish of this years tour and one of the best in recent memory.

Fabian Cancellara commented on his victory, even though immediately after the stage finish he declared "I am almost speechless. To win in France with the yellow jersey, that is just fantastic." He later elaborated that "it was absolutely fantastic to win in the yellow jersey. I was afraid I'd loose it during those final 30 kilometres and now in stead I'm standing here with a victory, which I'll remember for a very long time."

Stage top 5

1. Fabian Cancellara (Swi), CSC, 236.5km in 6:36:15

2. Erik Zabel (G), Milram

3. Danilo Napolitano (I), Lampre

4. Tom Boonen (B), Quick Step-Innergetic

5. Robert Hunter (RSA), Barloworld, all s.t.

Overall after 3 stages

1. Fabian Cancellara (Swi), CSC, 15:12:08

2. Andreas Kloden (G), Astana, at 0:33

3. David Millar (GB), Saunier Duval-Prodir, at 0:41

4. George Hincapie (USA), Discovery, at 0:43

5. Bradley Wiggins (GB), Cofidis, at 0:43