All images ©CyclingShorts.cc | www.chrismaher.co.uk
Sheffield, Sunday April 30th 2017 – Serge Pauwels took his first pro victory at the end of a gruelling stage. The Belgian opened up a gap on the last few climbs and crossed the finish line ahead of Dimension Data teammate Omar Fraile. Pauwels also won the third edition of the Tour de Yorkshire.
Eight categorised climbs brutally shook the Tour de Yorkshire peloton on stage 3. This wasn’t going to be an easy day and it was written across the faces of the riders at the start in Bradford. Some of the younger local riders knew all too well the pain this stage was going to inflict. All eight climbs (including cobbles) pretty much were straight up, in that no nonsense Yorkshire way, none of this continental switching back to get to the top malarky.
Stage 3 Official Route – 2017 Tour de Yorkshire
Discover the official route of the third stage of the 3rd edition of Tour de Yorkshire. More information on: www.letour.yorkshire.com Social media: www.facebook.com/LeTourYorkshire www.twitter.com/letouryorkshire www.instagram.com/letouryorkshire Official Hashtag: #TDY © Amaury Sport Organisation – www.aso.fr
Some of the climbers teams did some early testing of the pack and the pace was high. Pieter Weening (Roompot) dominated the first two climbs and was challenged on the 3rd by Dexter Gardiaz (Bike Channel Canyon) who beat him to the points. Shibden Wall was the 4th climb with a smattering of cobbles thrown into the mix; which luckily stayed dry for the racing. The fans were out in force decorating the road with messages of good luck and drawings to entice the riders to the top of this tough section. A six rider breakaway hit the slopes first, Pete Williams (One Pro Cycling) had to stop to change a wheel. Weening took the win on Shibden ahead of Gardiaz rivalling for the KoM overall.
There was a small section of respite before the final four climbs started. This didn’t, however, provide calm for some of the sprinters, stage 2 winner Nasar Bouhanni came down heavily and was knocked unconscious. He was taken to hospital and thankfully gained consciousness en route. The flatter section allowed the large chase group to catch the breakaway before the second hilly part of the race.
Thomas Voeckler’s team (Direct Energie) made an attack on the next climb but this seemed to do most damage to Thomas who slowly slipped backwards.
The last 14km had some of the sharpest and slowest climbs that would decide the race overall. Serge Pauwels got away on the penultimate hill with his teammate Fraile distracting the riders in the lead group. He got a good gap but Tao Geoghegan-Hart (Team Sky) kept trying to escape from the chase group to join Serge, but he just couldn’t quite manage it, Tao had an attacking race though overall, he should be proud of his work.
The last climb went to the lone figure of Pauwels. BMC put two of their three riders in the chase group on the front to reel Pauwels – a last ditch attempt. With 6km to go a BMC rider attacked, Tao and Omar Fraile (Serge Pauwels teammate) went with BMC. Omar then got on the front of the group and seemed to slow them down, Omar appeared to use race radio to let Serge know he was trying to contain them.
Fraile with 1km to go chased an attacker down and looked back in surprise to see he was leaving them all behind. Omar Fraile bridged the gap to his teammate. Fraile led Pauwels into the final straight to give him a slipstream, sitting up with metres to go celebrating as Serge Pauwels took his first major win. A perfect one, two win for Dimension Data completed a brilliant Tour de Yorkshire.
I can’t believe it. This is my first professional victory and I am a little surprised with myself because usually I prefer longer climbs. Today’s stage lent itself to a really explosive rider and there were no moments of respite. I want to highlight all the work of my team, especially that of Bernhard Eisel, and of course, the presence of Omar Fraile in the final helped me a lot. This stage is comparable to Liège-Bastogne-Liège, with perhaps even more people on the roadside. The crowds were incredible. This winter my team wanted me to take part in the Tour de Romandie but I asked to do the Tour of Yorkshire because the atmosphere here is amazing.
Stage 3 Interviews
James Worley Sports Nutritionist Team Raleigh GAC
Interview – James Worley Sports Nutritionist Of Team Raleigh GAC TdY2017 Stage 3 by Cycling Shorts
James Worley, Sports Nutritionist for Team Raleigh GAC talks to Amy Gornall of CyclingShorts.cc at the beginning of Stage 3 the Tour de Yorkshire about the correct nutrition a rider needs for a stage race and what the average recreation rider needs. All content ©CyclingShorts.cc
James Lowsley-Williams – Bike Channel Canyon
James Lowsley – Williams of Bike Channel Canyon at Finish Of TdY2017 by Cycling Shorts
James Lowsley-Williams of Bike Channel Canyon talks to Amy Gornall at end of a gruelling final stage of the Tour de Yorkshire 2017 in Sheffield.
TdY Winner – Serge Pauwels with Sir Gary Verity
TdY2017 Winners Press Conference – Serge Pauwels Of Dimension Data & Sir Gary Verity by Cycling Shorts
Serge Pauwels of Dimension Data winner of the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire and race organiser Sir Gary Verity talk to the media. #TDY2017 Image ©CyclingShorts.cc | www.chrismaher.co.uk
Stage 3 Results
- Serge Pauwels (Team Dimension Data) 194,5 km en 4h55’47’’
- Omar Fraile (Team Dimension Data) s.t
- Jonathan Hivert (Direct Energie) at 6’’
Overall Individual Time Classification
2nd
Omar FRAILE
(Dimension Data)
at 6’’
1st
Serge PAUWELS
(Dimension Data)
In 11h53’04’’
3rd
Jonathan Hivert
(Direct Energie)
at 7’’
Jersey Winners
Serge PAUWELS (Team Dimension Data)
Caleb EWAN (Orica Scott)
Pieter WEENING (Roompot – Nederlandse Loterijned)
Dexter GARDIAS (Bike Channel Canyon)
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