Petacchi takes the plaudits on Stage Three (Getty Images)

By Tom Millard

Betting Box Tipping Guide

BETTING BOX
FIXED ODDS
	2pts on Alessandro Petacchi to win at 7/2 (Coral).	Has won both sprint finishes in which he has been involved this week.

Of the three 'standard' stages on this year's Tour so far, all have seen an attepted breakaway, and each time it has been overhauled before the finish line.

The most adventurous attempt came from Frederic Finot, two days ago, who was reeled in just a few kilometres from the finish in St Dizier on Tuesday.

That stage was won by sprint specialist Alessandro Petacchi, of Fassa Bartolo.

In fact stage one was also taken by Petacchi, so he has won two of the three stages where he has had a realistic chance to do so.

The exception, Monday's race from La Ferte sous Jouarre to Sedan, saw the Italian dropped from the lead bunch as the riders negotiated a climb near to the finish.

Petacchi has now proved his mettle in the Tour after a sensational Giro D'Italia, and the 7/2 remains a decent price for a rider right on top of his game.

While a successful breakaway is always a possibility, the boys from team time trial winners US Postal will be keen for Victor Hugo Pena to hold onto his yellow jersey, at least until team leader Lance Armstrong takes it from him at the weekend.

The Posties, Robbie McEwen's Lotto outfit, and Fassa themselves, will work to chase down any glory hunters, and with a flat finish in Troyes, Petacchi can complete an awesome hat-trick of stage wins.