2 Jul 2010

Armstrong says stage 3 will be carnage

10:41 am on 2 July 2010

Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong has warned of impending "carnage" during the cobblestone-riddled stage three of the Tour de France.

Next Tuesday's 213km stage from Wanze in Belgium to Arenberg in northern France features seven cobblestone sections that threaten to cause punctures, crashes and, at worst, entirely end the hopes of several victory contenders.

Cancer survivor Armstrong is racing his final Tour campaign this month in a bid to win an eighth yellow jersey, although that looks a tough challenge.

Defending champion Alberto Contador of Spain is the overall favourite just ahead of Luxembourg's Andy Schleck. Armstrong finds himself among the handful of potential challengers.

After his reconnaissance of the third stage, the 38-year-old Armstrong says there is going to be carnage.

The Tour organisers admitted they wanted to shake the race up as early as possible in a bid to introduce drama into a first week of racing that is often criticised.

After a first stage from Rotterdam to Brussels on Sunday, when the peloton could be buffeted by vicious coastal winds, stage three will be the next big test.