Nat Bromhead
Quick-Step Floors sprinter Fernando Gaviria has won stage 3 of the Giro d’Italia overnight, taking the pink jersey from fellow sprinter Andre Greipel.
With a similar surprise finish to the previous stage, there was no bunch sprint in the end with strong cross winds splitting the field and dictating the day.
“We didn’t plan this attack in the crosswinds – we wanted to be at the front if the bunch was going to fire up,” said a thrilled Gaviria after the podium presentation. “We’re a strong team so we took the initiative. With six riders at the front, we outnumbered the others. When we saw a split in the bunch, we went full gas. Now we can enjoy the rest day as a team, because I have the Maglia Rosa for two days – the rest day and stage 4.”
Aussie Nathan Haas, of Team Dimension Data, finished the stage 4th.
Further Frustration For Caleb Ewan
On paper the stage was another opportunity for Aussie sprinter Caleb Ewan who’s Giro campaign has been plagued with bad luck. He was pipped by Postleberger’s solo break on Stage 1, then lost his pedal at a the most crucial moment of the Stage 2 sprin. Last night Ewan sprinted across the line to take eighth position at the front of the second group.
Riders of the 100th Giro d’Italia will now enjoy a rest day before Tuesday’s first foray into the high country. Stage 4 is a 181km day that includes 3500m climbing and a summit finish on Mt Etna.
Stage 3 Podium
1 – Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) – 148km in 3h26’33”, average speed 42.992km/h
2 – Rüdiger Selig (Bora – Hansgrohe) s.t.
3 – Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek – Segafredo) s.t.
General Classification After Stage 3
1 – Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors)
2 – André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) + 9″
3 – Lukas Pöstlberger (Bora – Hansgrohe) + 13″
