Tour of Britain 2013 - Stage 3

The Tour of Britain continued today with a time trial stage around Knowsely safari park. The distance was ten miles (16 kilometres), a distance that is quintessentially British, and a staple with cycling clubs all over the country. The distance would prove familiar to likes of Alex Dowsett (Movistar), and Sir Bradley Wiggins (Sky) who were both picked by some as favourites for the stage.

The weather once again played a big part on the stage, with the rain coming down persistently during the stage. The rain did not put off Wiggins however, who was seen riding multiple laps of the course in the rain earlier on in the day as a warm up. This was in contrast to Dowsett, who opted for riding the course in the team car, saying it was better to avoid the rain and cold in the build up to the race.

The rain played a part in getting the race's eleventh abandon, UnitedHealthcare's Phillip Deignan crashed on course and was unable to continue. A disappointing end for the future Sky Procycling rider. Impressive early rides came from the likes of Josh Edmondson and yesterday's second place finisher Sam Bennett (An Post-Chain Reaction). 

Manx Missile Mark Cavendish, better known for his super fast sprinting, looked focused as he waved to the crowds on the startline. The distance was seen too long for Cavendish to figure in the final results, the longest time trial victory that Cavendish had previously won was a short prologue in the Tour de Romandie. However Cav put in a strong performance that surprised many; he would eventually finish tenth on the stage.

Dowsett also looked focused, and looked to be putting in a strong ride. He was, however on the line he was second provisionally, behind Garmin-Sharps Kiwi Jack Bauer, who had also surprised with a strong showing. Nairo Quintana, Dowsett's Movistar teammate put in a pretty good performance, but one that was expected to be easily beaten by the likes of Sir Brad.

Wiggins and teammate Ian Stannard set off close to each other, and led a double-pronged assault on the stage. Stannard put in a strong showing that took the lead of the stage briefly, but it was Sir Brad who put in the ride of the day, the only man to go sub-twenty minutes with a time of 19 minutes 54 seconds. It was a time that was never going to be matched by race leader Gerald Ciolek, and Wiggins duly took up the gold jersey of race leader.

Wiggins now leads the race by 37 seconds from teammate Ian Stannard. Martin Elmiger (IAM) and Jack Bauer (Garmin-Sharp) both sit ominously close behind, but the ball is now well and truly in Wiggins' court if he wants to win this year's Tour of Britain.