Vuelta 2017: Nibali wins mountain stage, Froome takes red jersey

The 3th stage of the Vuelta a España takes in three intermediate climbs in the Pyrenees to finish with a 7 kilometres drop into Andorra La Vella. Froome and Chaves attack on the last climb, while Nibali and other GC-contenders come back in the last kilometre. The Shark of Messina sprints to victory and Froome takes the overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 3rd stage 2017 Vuelta

1. Vincenzo Nibali (ita)
2. David de la Cruz (spa) s.t.
3. Chris Froome (gbr) s.t.
4. Romain Bardet (fra) s.t.
5. Esteban Chaves (col) s.t.
6. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.
7. Nicolas Roche (irl) s.t.
8. Tejay van Garderen (usa) s.t.
9. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) s.t.
10. Michael Woods (can) + 0.25

11. Adam Yates (gbr) s.t.
13. Simon Yates (gbr) s.t.
15. Louis Meintjes (rsa) + 0.54
16. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) s.t.
18. Warren Barguil (fra) + 1.14
21. Carlos Betancur (col) s.t.
22. Wilco Kelderman (nld) s.t.
23. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) s.t.
25. Miguel Ángel López (col) s.t.
32. Wout Poels (nld) + 1.39
37. Alberto Contador (spa) + 2.33

GC after the 3rd stage
1. Chris Froome (gbr)
2. David de la Cruz (spa) + 0.02
3. Nicolas Roche (irl) s.t.
4. Tejay van Garderen (usa) s.t.
5. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 0.10
6. Esteban Chaves (col) + 0.11
7. Fabio Aru (ita) + 0.38
8. Adam Yates (gbr) + 0.39
9. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) + 0.43
10. Romain Bardet (fra) + 0.48

11. Simon Yates (gbr) s.t.
13. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 1.17
15. Warren Barguil (fra) + 1.22
16. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) + 1.29
18. Carlos Betancur (col) + 1.35
20. Louis Meintjes (rsa) + 1.43
21. Wout Poels (nld) + 1.45
24. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) + 1.56
25. Miguel Ángel López (col) + 1.57

Race report
Fabricio Ferrari goes on the attack once the flag is dropped, while Thomas De Gendt, Davide Villella and Antony Turgis bridge across. Axel Domont, Alexandre Geniez and Fernando Orjuela chase them down after 10 kms and Przemysław Niemiec hooks up after 20 kms. De Gendt is first to crest the Col de la Perche ahead of Villella before the eight race to a maximum lead of 5 minutes.

Domont heads out on his own with 55 kms to go, yet he is brought back on the lower slopes of the Coll de la Rabassa. On the top of the 13.2 kilometres climb Geniez and Villella are the last remaining leaders, with the Italian taking the polka dot jersey. In the descent they are reeled in by the main group.

Just before tackling the – Alto de la Comella: 4.3 kilometres climb at 8.3% – Chris Froome wins the only intermediate sprint, thus taking a time bonus of 2 seconds. On the climb itself Sky goes full gas and Contador is dropped. Sky keeps the pace high and more favourites are forced to chase.

Froome attacks in the last km with Chaves on his wheel. Bardet and Aru are close behind when cresting to close the gap on the descent. In the valley a group with Nibali rejoin also before the Shark of Messina jumps clear inside the final kilometre. He stays ahead of the first sprinters in the chasing group, De la Cruz and Froome.

Because of the bonus seconds Chris Froome is the new leader, 2 seconds ahead of David de la Cruz, Nicolas Roche and Tejay van Garderen.