Tirreno-Adriatico 2018 Stage 3: Roglic wins on steep wall, Thomas new leader

At 239 kilometres, the Tirreno-Adriatico's 3rd stage is played out on a hilly route with a punchy finale. Primoz Roglic attacks with 1,4 kilometres to go and survives ramps up to 20% just to take the win. Adam Yates comes in second, Tiesj Benoot in third. Geraint Thomas finishes fourth to move into the overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 3rd stage 2018 Tirreno-Adriatico

1. Primoz Roglic (slo)
2. Adam Yates (gbr) + 0.03
3. Tiesj Benoot (bel) + 0.06
4. Geraint Thomas (gbr) + 0.07
5. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 0.10
6. Mikel Landa (spa) s.t.
7. Gianni Moscon (ita) s.t.
8. Romain Bardet (fra) s.t.
9. Wilco Kelderman (nld) s.t.
10. Bob Jungels (lux) s.t.

12. Chris Froome (gbr) s.t.
15. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 0.16
20. Fabio Aru (ita) + 0.24
21. Tom Dumoulin (nld) s.t.

GC after the 3rd stage
1. Geraint Thomas (gbr)
2. Greg Van Avermaet (bel) s.t.
3. Chris Froome (gbr) + 0.08
4. Damiano Caruso (ita) + 0.08
5. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) + 0.09
6. Bob Jungels (lux) s.t.
7. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 0.19
8. Davide Formolo (ita) + 0.30
9. Tom Dumoulin (nld) + 0.33
10. Rigobero Uran (col) + 0.39

12. Mikel Landa (spa) + 0.44
15. Vincenzo Nibali (ita) + 0.49
18. George Bennett (nzl) + 0.51
19. Fabio Aru (ita) + 0.53
21. Romain Bardet (fra) + 0.58

Race report
Shortly after the start five riders take off. Among them Nicola Bagioli, the 23-year old Italian who took the KOM jersey with a strategic move yesterday. The other escapees are Dennis van Winden, Jacopa Mosca, Sho Hatsuyama and Stepan Kurianov, and with joined forces they race to a lead of more than 9 minutes.

Gagioli cements his KOM lead in Roccastrada and Cibottola and at the Passo del Lume Spento. Also, he is the last attacker to be reeled in with 11 kms remaining.

Primoz Roglic attacks just before the last km, while Peter Sagan and Miguel Ángel López are dropped on the lower slopes of the short and sharp climb to Trevi. Adam Yates goes after him, but he can’t bridge the gap. Former ski-jumper Roglic wins ahead of the Briton and Strade Bianche winner Tiesj Benoot comes in third. Geraint Thomas finishes 1 second further down, but moves into the overall lead with the same time as Greg Van Avermaet. Chris Froome sits in third place ahead of tomorrow’s Queen Stage.