2011 Vuelta a Castilla y Leon: Stage 3 Results

Bauke Mollema (Rabobank) is the new leader of the Tour of Castille and Leon after the third stage on Friday. The victory of the day went to Filippo Savini (Colnago).

Mollema turned in a good performance today, finishing second in the queen stage of the Tour of Castille and Leon, 157km between Benavente and Laguna de Los Peces.

The stage was played out right up to the last climb of the day, after a breakaway of seven riders saw their advantage reduced to nothing. Within just 16 km remaining to Laguna de los Peces, Dario Cioni and Tom Slagter attacked, but were unable to resist the charge of Savini, who showed himself as the strongest in the last two kilometers. The 26 year old Italian finished seven seconds ahead of Mollema, who dethroned the Spaniard Francisco Ventoso , the winner of the first two stages.

Overall, Mollema has three seconds ahead of the Spaniards Xavier Tondo and Igor Anton.

Defending champion Alberto Contador suffered a number of mechanical problems today and ended up crossing the line nearly three minutes back. He first flatted on the days penultimate climb. Teammate Richie Porte was able to bring him back to the lead group only to be waylaid by another puncture with 2km left in the race.

Stage 3 Brief Results:

1. Filippo Savini (ITA) Colnago-CSF, at 3:58:25
2. Bauke Mollema (NED) Rabobank Cycling Team, at 7
3. VIVO POZZO Domenico (ITA) Colnago-CSF, at 7
4. Igor Anton Hernandez (ESP) Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 10
5. Xavier Tondo Volpini (ESP) Movistar, at 10

General Classification After Stage 3:

1. Bauke Mollema (Netherlands) Rabobank Cycling Team, at 1:17:52 p.m.
2. Xavier Tondo Volpini (Spain) Movistar, at 3
3. Igor Anton Hernandez (Spain) Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 3
4. VIVO POZZO Domenico (Italy) Colnago-CSF, at 6
5. Dario David Cioni (Italy) Team Sky, at 14