Volta a Catalunya 2015: Pocket-climber Pozzovivo takes stage, Rolland new leader

Stage 3 in the Volta a Catalunya leads 156.6 kilometres from Girona to Girona. A super-group with Contador, Uran, Porte, Aru and Pozzovivo attack on the closing climb and it's the Italian pocket climber sneaking away in the last two kilometres. The big names are looking and no-one reacts, so that's bingo for Pozzovivo. Pierre Roland is in the chasing group and takes the leaders jersey from Paterski. (Slideshow route/profile)

Volta a Catalunya 2015: Race results stage 3
1. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita)
2. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 0.03
3. Daniel Martin (irl) s.t.
4. Alberto Contador (spa) s.t.
5. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.
6. Richie Porte (aus) s.t.
7. Andrew Talansky (usa) s.t.
8. Diego Rosa (ita) + 0.22
9. Wilco Kelderman (nld) s.t.
10. Alberto Losada (spa) s.t.

15. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.
20. Pierre Rolland (fra) s.t.
33. Bart de Clerq (bel) + 1.34
42. Maciej Paterski (pol) s.t.

GC after stage 3
1. Pierre Rolland (fra)
2. Maciej Paterski (pol) + 1.08
3. Bart de Clerq (bel) + 1.16
4. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) + 2.14
5. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 2.21
6. Daniel Martin (irl) + 2.22
7. Alberto Contador (spa) + 2.27
8. Richie Porte (aus) s.t.
9. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.
10. Andrew Talansky (usa) s.t.
11. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.

Race report
After an early attack by Pavel Kochetkov, Julian Alaphilippe and Tsgabu Grmay, Lluís Mas and Benoit Jarrier manage to get clear. A little later Tom Danielson, Mattia Cattaneo, Rudy Molard and Leonardo Duque bridge the gap. The six race to a maximum gain of around 4 minutes.

Climbing up Alt des Angels (1st category) the break is cut in halves, with only Danielson, Molard and Duque remaining. Also leader Paterski is in trouble, but he manages to restore contact with the pack in the descent.

Then, with 44 km’s the trio upfront is history.

At Alt de Santa Pellaia Tinkoff-Saxo steps on the gas, thus creating a battle-field with Valverde and leader Paterski the most prominent victims. Heading for the second climb up Alt des Angels something like thirty riders are still in the mix. Pierre Rolland is amongst them.

Aru ups the pace and amongst others Froome and Rolland are dropped. When Contador attacks only five remain upfront, the other riders are Porte, Aru, Uran and Pozzovivo. In the descent Talansky and Dan Martin join the front group. So that’s a Cannondale advantages upfront.

Not that it matters, since smart Pozzovivivo attacks with 2 km’s left. No one dares to react and the pocket-sized Italian races to victory.