Roche out to get racing rhythm back

CYCLING:NICOLAS ROCHE rolled in 33rd at the end of yesterday's third stage of the Tour, deciding not to get involved in the bunch sprint to the line.

Roche indicated before the race he was going to use the first eight or nine days to settle in and build form, and said he would wait until he got up to speed before pushing it in relation to stage results.

He was given the same time as stage winner Tyler Farrar, who edged out Romain Feillu (Vacansoleil) and Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar). Roche moves up one place to 40th, while remaining 53 seconds behind overall leader Thor Hushovd.

The general classification saw little change yesterday, but a shake-up of sorts is possible on today’s fourth leg to the Mûr de Bretagne.

The stage includes a fourth-category climb early on, with a steeper third-category ascent finishing things off. This is 2.2km long and averages 6.5 per cent, with tougher pitches in places.

Although Hushovd is good on power finishes, he admitted yesterday the ramp to the line was too tough for him.

That assessment reflects expectations that the bunch could be very stretched out at the top, with the chance time gaps will open.

Stage-one winner Philippe Gilbert of Omega Pharma Lotto is regarded as the hot favourite to take the win.

Roche can be solid on such climbs, but plays down any suggestions that he’ll jostle for a high finish.

“It is still a bit too soon for me to try. I don’t think I have the legs to actually try to do something for myself,” he admitted, thinking about the bad crash last month which has affected his preparation for the Tour.

“The goal there is to be at the front and to try to stay with the guys without losing time. I’ll think of attacking next week or in the mountains, but for now it is just a question of getting my racing rhythm back.”