Cervélo TestTeam’s Thor Hushovd got his redemption in stage three of the Tour de France today, with a victory on the 213 kilometer route that included seven sectors of cobblestones used in Paris-Roubaix. The Norwegian was a reluctant participant in yesterday's neutralization of stage two, but what comes around goes around, and his patience was rewarded today with the stage win and, more importantly, a wardrobe change into the green jersey.
This year's Paris-Roubaix runner-up was able to capitalize on team tactics that saw the winner of the "Hell of the North" and cobblestone rival, Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank), help to power him across the cobblestones to a well-deserved ninth career Tour stage win.
“To win on this day on the cobblestones really means a lot to me. The team was perfect today. I really want to compliment them. They were really motivated and they gave me so much help to keep me in a good position,” Hushovd explained after the stage.
“I needed to stay in the front group and avoid trouble, I knew I would have a good chance. That’s what I did and I was able to win. I am really proud to win today. It was a special stage, and a nice win. I have had my eye on this stage for a while and it’s great that it worked out. I am really satisfied. It was nice to win in the Norwegian national jersey, but I am also happy that I know have the green jersey.”
Yesterday Cancellara was at the center of a demonstration of solidarity throughout the peloton that saw his teammates Andy and Frank Schelck allowed to rejoin the group of race favorites at the expense of his maillot jaune. While the Swiss rider didn't benefit directly, his team was the main benefactor of the protest that also saw Hushovd lose a stage win opportunity along with significant point gains in the green jersey competition over his main rivals. Twenty-four hours later the pair were again at center stage, this time ending with the big Norwegian taking away the spoils.
“This is a great victory. This is the stage we wanted the most. Everyone on the team knew what they had to do and we really pulled it off,” said Cervélo sport director Jean-Paul van Poppel. “The team was perfect. Thor was right at the front in all the critical cobblestones and then he made a great sprint to win.”
“Yesterday, we had the bad luck - today we have the good luck,” Andreas Klier said contently. “Today makes up for all the disappointment. Thor just rode from A-to-B, like he’s always done. This is a beautiful victory over the cobblestones.”
Hushovd is now well on track to defend his points jersey title and win the competition for a third time. He now has 63 points, with current best young rider Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) in second place at 49 points and Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step) in third with 44 points. Both Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) and Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Transistions) were expected to challenge the TestTeam leader, but have ridden their way out of contention with bad luck yielding them only 1 and 4 points respectively. Three-time green jersey winner Robbie McEwen (Katusha) represents the closest sprint rival to Hushovd's chances with a 25 point deficit.