Vuelta a España 2012 Stage 3 is a 155.3 km mountain stage with summit finish from Faustino V to Eibar (Arrate). It is the first mountainous stage of la Vuelta.
For the second year in a row, the Vuelta a España will arrive in the Basque Country, and it is expected that with the spectators of Bask People, the atmosphere on the climbs will be incredible.
Previous stage: Vuelta a España 2012 Stage 2 Details and Results
Next stage: Vuelta a España 2012 Stage 4 Details and Results
Vuelta a España 2012 Stage 3 quick info
- DATE: August 20, Monday
- STAGE TYPE: Mountains
- START-FINISH: Faustino V > Eibar (Arrate)
- STAGE DISTANCE: 155.3 km
Vuelta a España 2012 Stage 3 Profile
Last 5 kilometers
The early mountainous stages is a Vuelta tradition. This year also the peloton will endure its first mountain stage at 3rd, with the departure taking place from the Faustino V wine cellars and the arrival will be at the summit of the Arrate, in Eibar, which is a 1st category climb.
Although the route of the Vuelta a España 2012 stage 3 will only be 155.3 kilometers long, it promises to be an intense stage that will allow the most prominent riders to shine. We can also expect that the general classification will take a shape here.
Vuelta a España 2012 stage 3 finish: Eibar
Eibar is a city and municipality within the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Basque Country of Spain. It is the head of the Debabarrena region. The city is situated just 30 minutes from Bilbao and 40 minutes from Donostia-San Sebastián and Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Eibar is also one of the major industrial cities in the Basque country, known for its weapons and its metal mills (specifically steel and iron). It has an Arms Industry Museum. It is also the home of Serveta scooters.
The town is surrounded by beautiful hills, such as Arrate (3rd stage will finish here), Akondia, Urko.
Main sights of Eibar
- Church of San Andrés, built during the 16th and 17th centuries, it has a Gothic style with Renaissance and Baroque elements.
- Sanctuary of the Virgin of Arrate, from the beginning of the 17th century.
- Hermitage of Azitain, it contains an odd 17th-century beardless Christ.
- Palace of Unzueta, from the 17th century.
- Palace of Aldatze, from the 17th century.
- Palace of Markeskua, from the 16th century.
- City Hall, built in concrete over the river Ego, designed by architect Ramón Cortázar and inaugurated on 14 September 1901.
- Coliseo Theatre, inaugurated in 1947 and refurbished in 2007.
Vuelta a España 2012 Stage 3: Valverde wins in photo finish
Movistar Team’s leader Alejandro Valverde beats Joaquim Rodríguez of Katusha in photo finish to win Vuelta a España 2012 Stage 3 as Alberto Contador of Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank announces his return.
The peloton covered 155km from Faustino V to Eibar’s Alto de Arrate as the Vuelta a España 2012 edition hit the mountains for the first time. Alejandro Valverde outsprinted Joaquim Rodríguez of the Katusha Team in the closest of finishes. The two Spaniards were at the head of a group of four.
These four riders (Valverde, Rodríguez, Contador and Froome) had detached from the splintering peloton on the final climb. It was Rodríguez that first attacked, but the 2009 race winner Valverde just managed to come around him, and edge his wheel past the Catalan to take victory. Behind the two Spainards’, Chris Froome of Team Sky beat Contador into third place and took the last four bonus seconds.
With a series of blistering attacks, Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank) announced his return to the top level of racing. Contador tried several attacks but as they clung doggedly to his wheel, he was unable to shake off Valverde and Rodríguez.
2012 Tour de France runner-up Chris Froome of Team Sky was also successfully able to hang on to the three Spaniards’ repeated accelerations.
Defending champion Juan José Cobo of Movistar Team was unable to chase Contador group.
Valverde took 20 seconds of bonifications, and now leading the general classification. Rodríguez took 12 seconds and Froome took 8 seconds of bonifications.
Valverde is also leading the Points classification and the Combination classification.
Vuelta a España 2012 Stage 3 Results
- Alejandro Valverde Belmonte, Spain, Movistar Team, 3:49:37
- Joaquim Rodríguez Oliver, Spain, Katusha Team
- Christopher Froome, Great Britain, Sky Procycling
- Alberto Contador Velasco, Spain, Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank
- Daniel Moreno Fernandez, Spain, Katusha Team, 0:00:06
- Bauke Mollema, Netherlands, Rabobank Cycling Team
- Eros Capecchi, Italy, Liquigas-Cannondale
- Benat Intxausti Elorriaga, Spain, Movistar Team
- Andrew Talansky, USA, Garmin-Sharp
- Robert Gesink, Netherlands, Rabobank Cycling Team
- Nicolas Roche, Ireland, AG2R La Mondiale
- Igor Anton, Spain, Euskaltel – Euskadi
- Winner Anacona Gomez, Colombia, Lampre-ISD
- Rigoberto Uran Uran, Colombia, Sky Procycling
- Tomasz Marczynski, Poland, Vacansoleil-DCM, 0:00:27
General classification after stage 3
- Alejandro Valverde Belmonte, Spain, Movistar Team, 8:46:56
- Benat Intxausti Elorriaga, Spain, Movistar Team, 0:00:18
- Joaquim Rodríguez Oliver, Spain, Katusha Team, 0:00:19
- Christopher Froome, Great Britain, Sky Procycling, 0:00:20
- Alberto Contador Velasco, Spain, Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank, 0:00:24
- Bauke Mollema, Netherlands, Rabobank Cycling Team, 0:00:28
- Robert Gesink, Netherlands, Rabobank Cycling Team,
- Rigoberto Uran, Colombia, Sky Procycling, 0:00:30
- Daniel Moreno Fernandez, Spain, Katusha Team, 0:00:33
- Igor Anton, Spain, Euskaltel-Euskadi, 0:00:46
- Nicolas Roche, Ireland, AG2R La Mondiale, 0:00:52
- Eros Capecchi, Italy, Liquigas-Cannondale, 0:00:59
- Juan Jose Cobo Acebo, Spain, Movistar Team, 0:01:06
- Sergio Luis Henao Montoya, Colombia, Sky Procycling, 0:01:12
Sources
- La Vuelta official website
- Eibar on Wikipedia
- Top 18 fastest Paris-Roubaix editions - April 7, 2024
- Col de Tourmalet [Amazing photo from the 1953 Tour de France] - January 11, 2024
- Bernard Hinault and Francesco Moser, 1981 Paris-Roubaix - December 8, 2023
