Welcome to live coverage of stage three of the Vuelta a Espana, a demanding 155km ride that includes three categorised climbs ahead of a punchy Cat.1 summit finish at Eibar. It may only be stage three, but we'll see a major selection for the GC today in all likelihood. No one will win the race today, but the Vuelta may be lost...

Vuelta a España

Stage 3 | Men | 20.08.2012

Completed

Faustino VEibar

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Live Updates

ByThe Editorial Team

Updated 20/08/2012 at 15:54 GMT

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Highlights

16:45

Valverde moves into the red jersey, 18 seconds clear of team-mate Intxausti. Rodriguez is third at 19 seconds, Froome fourth at 20 and Contador fifth at 24.

16:40

Confirmation of the top twelve riders: 1. Valverde, 2. Rodriguez, 3. Froome, 4. Contador, 5. Dani Moreno (+6), 6. Mollema, 7. Capecchi, 8. Intxausti, 9. Talansky, 10. Gesink, 11. Roche, 11. Anton.

16:35

Initially, it looked like the victory was given to Rodriguez - it was his name up on the board above the finish.

0km

The win is awarded to Valverde! He came from behind and surprised Rodriguez right at the end. He will be the new red jersey tonight.

0km

We know Froome was third and Contador fourth - but still waiting for confirmation on the winner. That was close!

0km

Rodriguez leads out the sprint but it looks like he's pipped by Valverde over the line! Photo finish!!

1km

Remember, the bonus seconds are vital at the finish - 12 for the winner. Contador puts in another huge dig on the flat. Provided he finishes in the top three, Valverde should be in red tonight.

1.5km

Contador is on the back of the four leaders now, with Valverde taking the lead ahead of Froome and Rodriguez.

2km

Froome doesn't have the kick today. He is hanging in there. Contador is trying to put him under big pressure with these attacks. But the road now levels out towards the finish. One of these four will win.

2.5km

Yet another attack from Contador! He surges past Anton, taking Valverde and Rodriguez with him. Froome struggles back on...

2.8km

Now Roche and Anton come to the front as the big guns take a breather.

3km

Another big attack from Contador! Once again, only Rodriguez, Valverde and Froome can follow. Anton is there too as it comes back together again. Fascinating stuff.

3.2km

The leading group is now about 15-strong now. Both Rabobank climbers are there - Gesink and Mollema. And Andrew Talansky of Garmin.

3.5km

The pace slows after that Contador burst and the four leaders are re-joined by a cluster of riders, including Uran and Anton.

4km

Now Contador attacks! Froome is dropped! But the Briton manages to fight back on. Still the big four out in front.

4.5km

Four leaders now: Contador, Froome, Valverde and Rodriguez. A few are in pursuit, including Igor Anton.

5km

Attack by Valverde! Contador reacts, as does Rodriguez and Froome.

5km

Froome has Colombian pair Henao and Uran in support. Juan Jose Cobo is suffering off the back now. Ten Dam still sets the fast pace on the front, with Valverde on his wheel.

5.5km

Navarro and Ten Dam look to be on the front for Saxo and Rabobank.

5.5km

Red jersey Jonathan Castroviejo has already been dropped by the main group. He's been kept company by Denis Menchov.

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