Fraile stays in contention as Pacher triumphs

Omar Fraile took another step towards a top ten overall in the Ronde de l'Isard today with a ninth place on stage three. Unsurprisingly, Entente Sud Gascogne's Quentin Pacher took out the win.

Day three from Rieumes to Aspet took out the mighty climb of the same name, the Col de Portet d'Aspet, and created differences between the top contenders. Pachet, one of the pre-race favourites, won solo two seconds ahead of countryman Paillot of Top 16, and moved into second on GC as a result. Fraile came in with a select 13-man group including big-name riders like Squire, Warbasse, Chernetskiy and Lecuisinier 22 seconds down, and is now ranked seventh on GC going into tomorrow's decider from Auterive to Saint-Girons. Russian Chernetskiy holds a commanding 1:13 lead over Pachet.

Carlos Barbero spent the day up ahead in the breakaway, but was eventually forced to settle for 33rd on the day.

Stage three results:

• (1, Quentin Pacher (Entente Sud Gascogne), 4:04:34)
• 9, Omar Fraile, 0:22
• 22, Igor Merino, 0:36
• 23, Haritz Orbe, s.t.
• 33, Carlos Barbero, 0:49
• 49, Illart Zuazubiskar, 6:36

Photo: www.orbea.com