Juan José Haedo (Saxo Bank-SunGard) won the third stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico today in Perugia. The Argentinean jumped World Champion Thor Hushovd and Tyler Farrar to mark one of his biggest victories.
"My team did a huge about of work, Garmin surprised me in the last kilometres," said Haedo. "I had the legs though to be there and to make the sprint. It was not a surprise for me, I had confidence."
American Farrar of team Garmin-Cervélo, winner of yesterday's sprint, finished second and Italian Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Cannondale) took third place.
As with yesterday, Hushovd led Farrar to the sprint. He jumped in a right-hand bend with less than 500 metres to race with Farrar in tow. Haedo, though, was attentive and took one of his biggest wins.
"Thor was perfect," said Farrar, "but JJ was just a bit too fast for me today."
Farrar remained in the leader's light blue, azzurra jersey.
"I think one of the biggest wins was at the Dauphiné Libéré last year," said Haedo. "This one has a different taste, beating all the best sprinters in the world."
Last season, the tall 30-year-old from Buenos Aires took stage wins in the Tour of Catalonia and the Critérium du Dauphiné, and the one-day races Rund um Köln and Mumbai Cyclothon. He has won fives stages in the last years at the Tour of California, including the points classification in 2007.
Haedo today left behind Mark Cavendish and HTC-Highroad team-mate Mark Renshaw. After the day's solo escapee Daniel Sesma (Euskaltel-Euskadi) was caught, HTC worked for Cavendish and helped him over the climb with 24 kilometres to race. Renshaw led Cavendish into the final kilometre, but they were split when Hushovd jumped.
"I heard Mark over the radio, he told Mark [Renshaw] to try for the sprint," HTC's sports director, Valerio Piva said. "Renshaw was a little tired from the work he had done beforehand."
Renshaw finished fifth behind Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-ISD) and Cavendish, after having eased up, finished further back in the group. It was the last practice sprint for Cav and the others ahead of Milan-San Remo in eight days.
"Some riders use this race to chase results, others use it purely as training," Farrar said. "Just because they are not in the mix or winning here, doesn't mean they won't be in the mix in San Remo. I am sure these guys will be a factor."
"Cav is going like he was in 2009," Piva added, "before he won San Remo."
Results
Tirreno-Adriatico 2011, stage three: Terranuova Bracciolini to Perugia, 189km
1. Juan Jose Haedo (Arg) Saxo Bank-Sungard in 4-39-45
2. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Cervelo
3. Daniel Oss (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale
4. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-ISD
5. Mark Renshaw (Aus) HTC-Highroad
6. Robbie McEwen (Aus) Radioshack
7. Lloyd Mondory (Fra) Ag2r-La Mondiale
8. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky
9. Marcel Sieberg (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto
10. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Garmin-Cervelo all same time
Other
90. Mark Cavendish (GB) HTC-Highroad at same time
114. Steve Cummings (GB) Sky at same time
153. Roger Hammond (GB) Garmin-Cervelo at 7-54
157. Ian Stannard (GB) Sky at 7-54
Overall classification after stage three
1. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Cervelo in 9-53-51
2. Juan Jose Haedo (Arg) Saxo Bank-Sungard at 5 secs
3. Lars Boom (Ned) Rabobank at 6 secs
4. Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank at 8 secs
5. Thomas Leezer (Ned) Rabobank at 8 secs
6. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank at 8 secs
7. Sebastian Langeveld (Ned) Rabobank at 8 secs
8. Bram Tankink (Ned) Rabobank at 8 secs
9. Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Garmin-Cervelo at 15 secs
10. Andreas Klier (Ger) Garmin-Cervelo at 17 secs
Other
18. Mark Cavendish (GB) HTC-Highroad at 25 secs
59. Steve Cummings (GB) Sky at 53 secs
134. Roger Hammond (GB) Garmin-Cervelo at 8-11
137. Ian Stannard (GB) Sky at 8-47
Related links
Tirreno-Adriatico 2011: Cycling Weekly's coverage index
Knog Blinder 1300 review - excellent visibility for you and other road users
Everything you want to know about the Q Factor
