The third day of Tour du Poitou-Charentes was predetermined to be quite an exciting day for the riders and spectators, as the race offered a double stage day. A relatively flat morning stage on 109,4 km, followed by a 22,8 km individual time trial.

The ambitious Swiss IAM Cycling, who recently signed Sylvain Chavanel (OMPQ) and Mathias Frank (BMC), once again showed prominent and promising character as they took two podium spots today. The morning saw Matteo Pelucchi lose the sprint by a nose against Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ), who took his third victory in a row.

Matteo Pelucchi, still quick even after his crash in the first stage earlier this week, was able to regain his smile, though he lost the duel for the stage against the 2012 road champion of France, Bouhanni. 

“We were neck and neck with about 100 meters to go.  The guys had done amazing work for me to put me in a good position in the final difficult and dangerous final three kilometers.  I was on Bouhanni’s wheel and I decided to anticipate his sprint.  Unfortunately, my opponent proved to be the cleverest in saving his punch between 500 and 300 meters.  I was already on my limit, and so was not able to pull ahead at the line.” Pelucchi said.

The afternoon time trial was red circled by the National TT Champion, Gustav Larsson, who saw this day to be his, but eventually had to settle for a 3rd place behind a superior winner Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) and 2nd place Mikhail Ignatiev (Katusha).

The great Swede was in the hot seat at the finish line for quite a while, after he set the fastest time against the clock. He was virtual leader until Mikhail Ignatiev (3 seconds faster) and then ultimately Thomas Voeckler (26 seconds faster) pushed him out of the winner’s circle. 

The 2008 Olympic silver medalist in the time trial and former race winner (2009) accepted his defeat philosophically. “I am both a little disappointed but also a bit surprised at the size of the gap.  I had really good legs.  What’s funny is that I felt better in the first ten kilometers despite the fact that I was losing ground.  Over the last ten kilometers, I really had to force myself and to fight against the course to score the best time.  I am determined to fight to the end.  During the last stage, there will be opportunities to win this event for the second time in my career, after having taken it in 2009.”