Rodriguez wins Stage 3, Vogels retains overall lead

ROME - Fred Rodriguez of Team Sidermec won State 3 of the Dodge Tour de Georgia cycling race on Friday, but Australian Henk Vogels of Team Navigators held the overall lead by six seconds.

Team Saturn's Chris Horner is second overall.

Rodriguez, who covered the 138-mile course from Pine Mountain to Rome in 5:27:40, emerged from a 39-rider group in the final few meters to get the victory and retain his orange jersey as the sprint leader.

``I've had a lot of bad crashes this spring and I just wanted to start my final push early and see what happened,'' Rodriguez said. ``There were times where I felt like I was wasting my energy because the group would pull me back in, but I also managed to stay in front and keep out of trouble.''

Rodriguez edged out Prime Alliance's David Clinger and U.S. Postal Service's Antonio Cruz for the victory, though all of the first 39 riders were credited with the same time.

Vogels also finished in the lead group and was given the same time, as was Horner.

Saturday's stage, which runs from Dalton to Gainesville, features two tough climbs, and Horner thinks he'll have a chance to catch Vogels for the overall lead.

``Henk isn't that great a climber and is going to need a lot of help from his teammates to stay in the lead,'' Horner said. ``Of course, I'll have guys helping me, too. It should be a great race.''

The leaders are expected to begin arriving in Gainesville about mid-afternoon.

The 7UP/Maxxi team, which had held to second place since the start of the, slipped to tenth place as Stage Three ended Friday afternoon.

Chris Pic of Dahlonega is a member of that team.

Stage Three: Individual Results Position

Number Rider Team Time Gap

1. 20 RODRIGUEZ Fred VIN 5.27'40"
2. 92 CLINGER David PRI 5.27'40"
3. 3 CRUZ Antonio USP 5.27'40"
4. 41 MURN Uros FPF 5.27'40"
5. 62 HORNER Chris SAT 5.27'40"
6. 23 GEROSA Mauro VIN 5.27'40"
7. 91 CANDELARIO Alex PRI 5.27'40"
8. 35 LOUDER Jeff NVR 5.27'40"
9. 36 VOGELS Henk NVR 5.27'40"
10. 2 BARRY Michael USP 5.27'40"

Stage Three: Team Results

Position Team Time Gap

1. Prime Alliance 16.23'00"
2. US Postal Service 16.23'00"
3. Vini Caldiroal Sidermec 16.23'00"
4. Saturn 16.23'00"
5. OFOTO Lombardi Sports 16.23'00"
6. Rabobank 16.23'00"
7. Schroeder Iron 16.23'00"
8. Navigators 16.23'09" 9"
9. Jelly Belly Carlsbad Clothing 16.23'09" 9"
10. 7 Up Maxxis 16.23'18" 18"

Stage Three: Overall Results

Position Number Rider Team Time Gap

1. 36 VOGELS Henk NVR 15.08'35"
2. 62 HORNER Chris SAT 15.08'41" 6"
3. 64 O'NEILL Nathan SAT 15.08'42" 7"
4. 70 LIESWYN John 7UP 15.08'49" 14"
5. 92 CLINGER David PRI 15.08'50" 15"
6. 95 PATE Danny PRI 15.08'52" 17"
7. 8 GREEN Roland USP 15.08'53" 18"
8. 7 ZABRISKIE David USP 15.08'54" 19"
9. 87 MEZA FLORES Miguel Angel SCI 15.08'54" 19"
10. 52 GUYTON Scott FLA 15.08'54" 19"