April 22, 2005 (Rome, GA) – Rain arrived just as the first rider in Stage 3 of the Tour de Georgia went out of the chute for the 29.9 km time trial. The rain continued throughout the Stage, and hampered efforts by riders to gain some time in the G.C. standing. “The course was interesting,” said 2004 Canadian Time Trial champion Svein Tuft (Symmetrics), “It was more diverse than most TT courses and included a hill, which makes it hard to maintain a rhythm.” A rhythm which is crucial to a strong performance in a time trial. It seems that many riders were off their rhythm today, including Lance Armstrong who placed a distant 9th.

The “hill” or Mount Alto as it is known, is short — less than 4 km long — but steep, and the descent proved treacherous in the rain. There were a number of crashes, both on the descent and at various points in the course.

“You had to take chances to get a winning time,” Tuft acknowledged, “If you were just trying to get through the day, you had to slow down on some of those curves to avoid sliding.” The suffering of Mount Alto was alleviated somewhat by cheering crowds and children who ran alongside the riders.

Normally, at this point in the race, a time cut would be imposed, knocking many riders out of the remaining stages. Given the TT results, this would have eliminated thirty-five riders and nearly one entire team. However, due to the weather conditions, the Tour de Georgia extended the time limit so that all riders are eligible to start Stage 4.

While Armstrong clocked a disappointing performance, Floyd Landis (Phonak) demonstrated his new role as captain of the team is well deserved, placing 1st with a time of .39’58″090. Landis stepped into the team leader role following Tyler Hamilton’s two year suspension.

Although the stage did not produce as many fiery performances as can be the case in some time trials, it means that the remaining stages will likely be intense. If Armstrong is to defend his 2004 Tour de Georgia victory, the Discovery team will need to raise the stakes, as Phonak tries to ensure that Landis retains the leader’s jersey.

The top Canadian was 8-time Canadian National Time Trial champion Eric Wohlberg (Symmetrics) with a time of .43’10″270 for 27th place. Geoff Kabush (Jittery Joe’s) was 29th at .43’16″160, Gord Fraser (Health Net) was 30th at 43’20″950, and Svein Tuft, 31st at 43’21″860.

The top five Canadian GC contenders are Eric Wohlberg (Symmetrics) at 23rd, Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) at 26th, Mark Walters (Navigators) at 28th, Michael Barry (Discovery) at 33rd, and Gord Fraser (Health Net) at 40th.

The Best Young Rider category is led by Trent Lowe (Jittery Joe’s) with Canadian Christian Meier (Symmetrics) in 7th.

Friday’s Stage 4 marks the start of the mountain stages with 18,000 feet of climbing over 213.4 km. Saturday provides yet another epic stage covering 182.4 km with 15000 feet of climbing finishing up on the crushing Brasstown Bald.

Dodge Tour de Georgia — Stage 3 – Time Trial
1. LANDIS Floyd Phonak Hearing Systems USA 39’58” 090
2. ZABRISKIE David Team C.S.C. USA @ 19″
3. BALDWIN Christopher Navigators Insurance Cycling Team USA @ 22″
4. JULICH Bobby Team C.S.C. USA @28″
5. O’NEILL Nathan Navigators Insurance Cycling Team AUS @ 43″
6. LEIPHEIMER Levi Gerolsteiner USA @ 50″
7. DANIELSON Tom Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team USA @ 1’00”
8. EKIMOV Viatcheslav Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team RUS @ 1’21”
9. ARMSTRONG Lance Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team USA @ 1’46”
10. VANDBORG Brian Team C.S.C. DEN @ 1’47”

Overall GC

1. LANDIS Floyd Phonak Hearing Systems USA 11.14’19”
2. ZABRISKIE David Team CSC USA 11.14’38” 19″
3. BALDWIN Christopher Navigators Insurance Cycling Team USA 11.14’41” 22″
4. JULICH Bobby Team CSC USA 11.14’47” 28″
5. O’NEILL Nathan Navigators Insurance Cycling Team AUS 11.15’02” 43″
6. LEIPHEIMER Levi Gerolsteiner USA 11.15’09” 50″
7. DANIELSON Tom Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team USA 11.15’19” 1’00”
8. EKIMOV Viatcheslav Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team RUS 11.15’40” 1’21”
9. ARMSTRONG Lance Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team USA 11.16’01” 1’42”
10. VANDBORG Brian Team CSC DEN 11.16’06” 1’47”
11. AZEVEDO José Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team POR 11.16’12” 1’53”
12. HUNTER Robert Phonak Hearing Systems RSA 11.16’25” 2’06”
13. PATE Danny Jelly Belly – Pool Gel USA 11.16’31” 2’12”
14. BLAUDZUN Michael Team CSC DEN 11.16’37” 2’18”
15. RICH Michael Gerolsteiner GER 11.16’42” 2’23”
16. PINOTTI Marco Prodir – Saunier Duval ITA 11.16’43” 2’24”
17. RUBIERA VIGIL José Luis Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team ESP 11.16’48” 2’29”
18. VANDEVELDE Christian Team CSC USA 11.16’54” 2’35”
19. WHERRY Chris Health Net Presented by Maxxis USA 11.17’08” 2’49”
20. O’LOUGHLIN David Navigators Insurance Cycling Team IRL 11.17’11” 2’52”
21. QUINZIATO Manuel Prodir – Saunier Duval ITA 11.17’16” 2’57”
22. LOWE Trent Jittery Joe’s – Kalahari Pro Cycling Team AUS 11.17’21” 3’02”
23. WOHLBERG Eric Symmetrics Cycling Team CAN 11.17’31” 3’12”
24. CANADA GRACIA David Prodir – Saunier Duval ESP 11.17’32” 3’13”
25. KABUSH Geoff Jittery Joe’s – Kalahari Pro Cycling Team CAN 11.17’37” 3’18”
26. TUFT Svein Symmetrics Cycling Team CAN 11.17’42” 3’23”
27. SCHLECK Andy Team CSC LUX 11.17’44” 3’25”
28. WALTERS Mark Navigators Insurance Cycling Team CAN 11.17’48” 3’29”
29. RUSS Matthias Gerolsteiner GER 11.17’50” 3’31”
30. RAISIN Saul Credit Agricole USA 11.17’52” 3’33”
31. FRISCHKORN William Team TIAA – CREF USA 11.17’54” 3’35”
32. LOUDER Jeff Navigators Insurance Cycling Team USA 11.17’55” 3’36”
33. BARRY Michael Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team CAN 11.17’59” 3’40”
34. FRITSCH Nicolas Prodir – Saunier Duval FRA 11.18’00” 3’41”
35. MITCHELL Glen Kodak Easyshare Gallery – Sierra Nevada Pro Cycling NZL 11.18’03” 3’44”
36. ZAJICEK Phil Navigators Insurance Cycling Team USA 11.18’09” 3’50”
37. ENGLAND Justin Health Net Presented by Maxxis USA 11.18’16” 3’57”
38. MACCANTI Michele Team L.P.R. ITA 11.18’24” 4’05”
39. JACQUES-MAYNES Ben Kodak Easyshare Gallery – Sierra Nevada Pro Cycling USA 11.18’31” 4’12”
40. FRASER Gordon Health Net Presented by Maxxis CAN 11.18’40” 4’21”
41. CONTRINI Daniele Team L.P.R. ITA 11.18’43” 4’24”
42. BROOKS Benjamin Jelly Belly – Pool Gel AUS 11.18’49” 4’30”
43. PERRAS Dominique Kodak Easyshare Gallery – Sierra Nevada Pro Cycling CAN 11.18’50” 4’31”
44. LEWIS Craig Team TIAA – CREF USA 11.18’53” 4’34”
45. AGGIANO Elia Team L.P.R. ITA 11.19’00” 4’41”
46. JOHNSON Timothy Jittery Joe’s – Kalahari Pro Cycling Team USA 11.19’01” 4’42”
47. MCCARTNEY Jason Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team USA 11.19’05” 4’46”
48. DUGGAN Timothy Team TIAA – CREF USA 11.19’08” 4’49”
49. SANTAMBROGIO Mauro Team L.P.R. ITA 11.19’09” 4’50”
50. MONINGER Scott Health Net Presented by Maxxis USA 11.19’11” 4’52”
51. SUNDT Jonathan Jittery Joe’s – Kalahari Pro Cycling Team USA 11.19’15” 4’56”
52. CRUZ Antonio Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team USA 11.19’23” 5’04”
53. KAGGESTAD Mads Credit Agricole NOR 11.19’32” 5’13”
54. WROLICH Peter Gerolsteiner AUT 11.19’33” 5’14”
55. MEIER Christian Symmetrics Cycling Team CAN 11.19’37” 5’18”
56. HENDERSON Gregory Health Net Presented by Maxxis NZL 11.19’38” 5’19”
57. STEWART Jackson Kodak Easyshare Gallery – Sierra Nevada Pro Cycling USA 11.19’51” 5’32”
58. CLERC Aurélien Phonak Hearing Systems SUI 11.19’55” 5’36”
59. GRAJALES Cesar Augusto Navigators Insurance Cycling Team COL 11.19’56” 5’37”
60. RICE Matthew Jelly Belly – Pool Gel AUS 11.19’56” …
61. LEQUATRE Geoffroy Credit Agricole FRA 11.20’05” 5’46”
62. LEMOINE Cyril Credit Agricole FRA 11.20’07” 5’48”
63. PORTAL Sébastien Credit Agricole FRA 11.20’09” 5’50”
64. LIESWYN John Health Net Presented by Maxxis USA 11.20’13” 5’54”
65. MANION Caleb Jelly Belly – Pool Gel AUS 11.20’13” …
66. JONES Brice Jelly Belly – Pool Gel USA 11.20’22” 6’03”
67. DEVINE John USA National Team USA 11.20’28” 6’09”
68. NOSE Tomasz Phonak Hearing Systems SLO 11.20’43” 6’24”
69. ZWIZANSKI Scott Kodak Easyshare Gallery – Sierra Nevada Pro Cycling USA 11.20’43” …
70. TAFI Andrea Prodir – Saunier Duval ITA 11.20’47” 6’28”
71. SAYERS Mike Health Net Presented by Maxxis USA 11.20’52” 6’33”
72. MÃœLLER Christian Team CSC GER 11.20’52” …
73. KING Edward USA National Team USA 11.20’56” 6’37”
74. FANELLI Ivan Team L.P.R. ITA 11.20’57” 6’38”
75. ARTACHO Gustavo Colavita Olive Oil – Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team ARG 11.20’57” …
76. LANGE Cory Symmetrics Cycling Team CAN 11.21’02” 6’43”
77. HERRIOT Todd Colavita Olive Oil – Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team USA 11.21’04” 6’45”
78. MASERATI Alessandro Team L.P.R. ITA 11.21’13” 6’54”
79. ERKER Jacob Symmetrics Cycling Team CAN 11.21’22” 7’03”
80. ALBERS Kirk Jelly Belly – Pool Gel USA 11.21’25” 7’06”
81. URWEIDER Sascha Phonak Hearing Systems SUI 11.21’27” 7’08”
82. NAPOLITANO Danilo Team L.P.R. ITA 11.21’30” 7’11”
83. DAVIDENKO Vassili Navigators Insurance Cycling Team RUS 11.21’35” 7’16”
84. BOUCHARD-HALL Kevin USA National Team USA 11.21’36” 7’17”
85. HAMBY Russell Kodak Easyshare Gallery – Sierra Nevada Pro Cycling USA 11.21’52” 7’33”
86. KRAUSS Sven Gerolsteiner GER 11.21’59” 7’40”
87. GODFREY Hayden Kodak Easyshare Gallery – Sierra Nevada Pro Cycling NZL 11.22’20” 8’01”
88. HARTLEY Chad Team TIAA – CREF USA 11.22’35” 8’16”
89. LANGLOIS Bruno Jittery Joe’s – Kalahari Pro Cycling Team CAN 11.22’38” 8’19”
90. OLSEN Aaron Colavita Olive Oil – Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team USA 11.22’55” 8’36”
91. WAITE Nick USA National Team USA 11.23’10” 8’51”
92. LANGE Michael Team TIAA – CREF USA 11.23’12” 8’53”
93. BAK Lars Ytting Team CSC DEN 11.23’13” 8’54”
94. POWERS Jeremy Jelly Belly – Pool Gel USA 11.23’19” 9’00”
95. COBO ACEBO Juan Jose Prodir – Saunier Duval ESP 11.23’21” 9’02”
96. MURPHY John USA National Team USA 11.23’39” 9’20”
97. MASOLINO Daniele Team L.P.R. ITA 11.24’07” 9’48”
98. FRATTINI Davide Colavita Olive Oil – Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team ITA 11.24’20” 10’01”
99. PINFOLD Andrew Symmetrics Cycling Team CAN 11.24’46” 10’27”
100. CASERO MORENO Rafael Prodir – Saunier Duval ESP 11.24’50” 10’31”
101. GUPTILL Andy USA National Team USA 11.24’56” 10’37”
102. ROUTLEY Will Symmetrics Cycling Team CAN 11.25’04” 10’45”
103. HASELBACHER René Gerolsteiner AUT 11.25’10” 10’51”
104. BOWMAN Dan Team TIAA – CREF USA 11.25’27” 11’08”
105. HAEDO Juan José Colavita Olive Oil – Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team ARG 11.26’11” 11’52”
106. WILCOX Craig Jittery Joe’s – Kalahari Pro Cycling Team USA 11.26’19” 12’00”
107. AEBERSOLD Niki Phonak Hearing Systems SUI 11.26’22” 12’03”
108. ROBINSON David Team TIAA – CREF USA 11.26’55” 12’36”
109. PATOUR Kilian Credit Agricole FRA 11.27’18” 12’59”
110. WILKERSON Derek Colavita Olive Oil – Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team USA 11.27’19” 13’00”
111. DOMINGUEZ Ivan Health Net Presented by Maxxis CUB 11.28’01” 13’42”
112. MACGREGOR Ian Team TIAA – CREF USA 11.28’07” 13’48”
113. COOPER Marsh Symmetrics Cycling Team CAN 11.28’51” 14’32”
114. WOLF Michael USA National Team USA 11.29’05” 14’46”
115. COZZA Steven USA National Team USA 11.30’57” 16’38”
116. MCCORMACK Mark Colavita Olive Oil – Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team USA 11.31’20” 17’01”
117. ELKEN Evan Jittery Joe’s – Kalahari Pro Cycling Team USA 11.31’37” 17’18”
118. FRIEDICK Mariano Jelly Belly – Pool Gel USA 11.32’15” 17’56”
119. PAGE Jonathan Colavita Olive Oil – Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team USA 11.33’01” 18’42”