Connor Swift and Joey Walker finished in the front group of 50 riders as the first time gaps appeared at the Tour de Normandie.
The short three-hour stage was on from the gun as riders anticipated a finishing circuit that featured a tough climb, followed by a fast descent to the finish line.
Swift, Walker and Cuming were all involved in the early skirmishes as the race looked to take a turn against the sprinters – but although the race leader was dropped, there were more in reserve to take his place, as Connor Swift describes.
Connor Swift Team Rider
The race was on all day, it was tough from the start and by the finish you could tell there were some tired bodies out there. It was critical to be positioned well on the finishing circuit climbs, because that’s where there were a lot of attacks.
We wanted to kick things off on the last lap, which we did but unfortunately we had missed a move that had gone with 50km to go. If we’d been in that, it would have been a different story.
As it was, the move came back and from there it was a case of several different moves going clear. I had a go a few times, but everyone was on their limit so there wasn’t much cooperation. And with the fast descent to the finish, it allowed a lot of riders to come back and it was a shame it was another bunch sprint.
There are several very strong teams at this race who have good sprinters, with bonus seconds to their favour. It’s now a battle between them and us – the ones who want to cause carnage on the finishing circuits.
There’s still half the race to go and the next three stages will be where the race is decided.
Up to 16th on general classification, the gap to the leader is 16-seconds for Swift. With Joey Walker and 28 others on the same time, there are still plenty of racers looking to upset the sprint parade as we head into stage four.
Result: 2019 Tour de Normandie - stage three
|
1. Arvid De Kleijn |
Metek |
3:07.35 |
|
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|
|
|
13. Connor Swift |
Madison Genesis |
ST |
|
45. Joey Walker |
Madison Genesis |
ST |
|
56. Mike Cuming |
Madison Genesis |
+0:00.17 |
|
96. Erick Rowsell |
Madison Genesis |
+0:11.00 |
|
100. Johnny McEvoy |
Madison Genesis |
+0:13.25 |
|
119. Rich Handley |
Madison Genesis |
+0:15.28 |
2019 Tour de Normandie general classification – after three stages
|
1. Nicolai Brochner |
Riwal Readynez |
11:00.10 |
|
----- |
|
|
|
16. Connor Swift |
Madison Genesis |
+0:00.16 |
|
37. Joey Walker |
Madison Genesis |
ST |
|
52. Mike Cuming |
Madison Genesis |
+0:00.33 |
|
94. Erick Rowsell |
Madison Genesis |
+0:11.41 |
|
98. Johnny McEvoy |
Madison Genesis |
+0:15.16 |
|
122. Rich Handley |
Madison Genesis |
+0:16.09 |
How has Connor Swift's life changed since becoming British champion?