Tyler Farrar blasted out from a bunch sprint to win today's stage 3, featuring a golden leadout by teammate Thor Hushovd, who keeps yellow.  I thought HTC started too soon for Mark Cavandish, and Lapre never got themselves organized for Alessandro Petacchi.  Surprise Spanish sprinter Joaquin Rojas Jose of Movistar scored consistently all around to move into green, and Philippe Gilbert kept his polka dots.

I like the change to the rules wherein each days features one intermediate sprint that means more to the overall sprint standings; it has given us something to watch midway through what would otherwise be pretty boring days in the flats.  There was one climb - a high bridge - which made for beautiful views but didn't do anything to the standings.  Tomorrow's stage should be a bit weird; it kind of looks flat, but there's a hilltop finish on a Cat 3 climb at the end to make things interesting.  Everyone seems to think Gilbert is going to win, but I look for Contador to establish himself, and Evans will be trying to take yellow.  Stay tuned!

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