Peter Merx wins third stage and Andrei Nechita takes overall lead in 2011 Tour of Romania
Netherland’s rider, Peter Merx, won the third stage of 2011 Tour of Romania on Monday, June 6. The race started in Vaslui and ended at Botosani.
Peter Merx took a total of 3 hours, 30 minutes and 57 seconds to cover a distance of 157 kilometres. The third stage was full of surprises and unusual incidents.
This stage was the longest and most difficult for the riders because it contained two to three climbs and sprints.
The first mishap was recorded after few kilometres into the race, when Borislav Ivanov of the Bulgarian team broke down and was forced to abandon the race.
Bogdan Coman also faced a problem and said, "After the first climb, at the first corner I think I went too hard and I fell like in the movies. I do not know if the handlebar was broken before or after the fall, well that did not come after me and others to be injured more seriously."
Thirdly, Andrei Nechita ironically suffered a tragic accident in the mid-way on track. The overall race leader was moving swiftly ahead of the troop after his performance throughout the session, but unfortunately as he came near his team’s support car for a sip of water, an unexpected bump with the side mirror of the car led to a tragic accident of the rider.
The Romanian rider suffered severe cuts and bruises on his elbow and leg with an upsetting disqualification from the stage. However, he still leads the overall standings by far with the help of his team-mates and his prior performance.
Andrei Nechita of Romania took an overall standing with a timing of 12 hours, 42 minutes and 17 seconds. Angelo Ciccone was in the second spot with 26 seconds behind Andrei. The German rider Heinrich Berger finished third with the difference of 8 minutes and 53 seconds.
While the stage winner Peter Merx was in 28th spot with 23 minutes behind Andrei.
The team's coach, Csongor Berekmery, said, "I am not able to make judgments about the two competitors, but I must say it's a rare performance."
The next stage will start in Botosani and end in Suceava. All the riders will cover a distance of 206 kilometres.
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