"I can feel it, coming in the air tonight". Phil Collins might have coined the right mood for the peloton last night with his 1981 hit "In the Air Tonight", because there was definitely a feeling of apprehension after the carnage of Stage 2 - and the prospect of riding over cobbles in Stage 3. Rarely has there been so many favorites hitting the deck as there was yesterday. So it was a pensive and restless bunch that left in the morning to complete their third day.

"I've been waiting for this moment for all my life". For many in the peloton, the prospect of racing over cobbles is a real nightmare. The cobbled (pave) sectors (seven in all) throughout the stage may have only totalled 13.2 km but they are very unpredictable. And simple cycling lore will tell you that the top 20 is the place to be when the bunch hits the cobbles but simple maths will also tell you that 180 riders into 20 spots won't fit.

The first skirmish over the cobbles was conquered without too many dramas but the pace was on to get the favorites up to the front. The lead in to the main sections it was a nervous and very speedy group. Then the splits happened as the speed and terrain forced the peloton to find a route through the cobbles. The result was utter chaos on the road. When the smoke cleared, Cadel Evans found himself third in the stage, and third overall. (That's him, pictured above, trailing stage winner Thor Hushovd over the line.)

Who's Hot ...

Team Saxo Bank - The Saxo Bank flexed their muscle on the cobbles and really stretched the group out. They made the peloton fracture and split and showed why they are the best team for the cobbles.

Stuart O'Grady and Fabian Cancellara - The Australian and the Swiss veterans were superhuman over the pave as they turned the screws on the bunch. Both carry a portable blowtorch which they use liberally. They caused the group to fracture with a turn of speed over the cobbles.

Cadel Evans - When the carnage ensued and split, Evans was on the right wheel and found himself in the front group and out of trouble. Known as one of the better bike handlers in the bunch stemming from his mountain bike background, Evans rode a very smart race over the pave.

Thor Husholvd - He made up for yesterday's non-sprint to take the stage.

Who's Not ...

Simon Gerrans - The Australian has crashed twice in two days. Gerrans has had a horror two days and will hopefully keep it upright in the next week. He got back on to the bunch but was nursing considerable wounds from his spill.

Damino Cunego - Involved in a crash with 40km to go, the little prince has never enjoyed the Tour de France. An Italian favorite after a win at the Tour of Italy, Cunego has never been a factor in France.

Frank Schleck - Another crash for Schleck left him on the side of the road and out of the Tour.

Lance Armstrong - Dropped off the bunch with a puncture and had a hellish ride to get back into the race. He lost big time and spent the last 10km trying to limit his losses.

Alexandre Vinokourov - Attacked Contador at the end of the race. Not a great team move but not surprising.

Stage 3 Results

Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team 4:49:38

Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team

Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team

Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions

Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank

Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank

Johan Van Summeren (Bel) Garmin - Transitions 0:00:53

Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team

Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto

Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana

General Classification

Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank 14:54:00

Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team 0:00:23

Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:00:39

Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions 0:00:46

Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step 0:01:01

Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 0:01:09

Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team 0:01:19

Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 0:01:31

Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 0:01:40

Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 0:01:42

18. Lance Armstrong (USA) Team Radioshack 0:02:30

28. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team HTC - Columbia 0:03:00

Points Classiciation - (Green Jersey)

Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team 63 pts

Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team 49

Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step 44

Robbie McEwen (Aus) Team Katusha 38

Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank 37

Mountains Classification - (Polka Dot Jersey)

Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick Step 13 pts

Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step 8

Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne 8

Maxime Monfort (Bel) Team HTC - Columbia 5

Matthew Lloyd (Aus) Omega Pharma-Lotto 4

The road ahead ...

Stage 4 has been tagged the easiest stage of the Tour. At a mere 153 km it is a short jaunt for the riders as they continue to lick their wounds from a torrid opening. But this Tour has been unpredictable and anything can happen.