Tour de Suisse 2018 Stage 3: Colbrelli bests Gaviria and Sagan, Küng still leader

Stage 3 in the Tour de Suisse is a hilly race with its most climbs in the last 65 kilometres. Still, the race comes down to a bunch sprint with Sonny Colbrelli outgunning Fernando Gaviria and Peter Sagan. Stefan Küng is still the GC leader. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 3rd stage 2018 Tour de Suisse

1. Sonny Colbrelli (ita)
2. Fernando Gaviria (col) s.t.
3. Peter Sagan (svk) s.t.
4. Michael Albasini (swi) s.t.
5. Magnus Cort Nielsen (den) s.t.
6. Michael Matthews (aus) s.t.
7. Enrico Battaglin (ita) s.t.
8. Jasper Stuyven (bel) s.t.
9. Diego Ulissi (ita) s.t.
10. Sep Vanmarcke Bel) s.t.

GC after the 3rd stage
1. Stefan Küng (swi)
2. Greg Van Avermaet (bel) + 0.03
3. Richie Porte (aus) s.t.
4. Tejay van Garderen (usa) s.t.
5. Peter Sagan (svk) + 0.16
6. Michael Matthews (aus) + 0.23
7. Wilco Kelderman (nld) s.t.
8. Sam Oomen (nld) s.t.
9. Gregor Mühlberger (aut) + 0.30
10. Enric Mas (spa) s.t.

11. Patrick Konrad (aut) s.t.
14. Nairo Quintana (col) + 0.36
16. Mikel Landa (spa) s.t.
15. Andrey Amador (crc) s.t.
19. Ion Izagirre (spa) + 0.39
21. Simon Spilak (slo) + 0.49
26. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) + 0.56
31. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 1.01
38. Mathias Frank (swi) + 1.10
45. Jakob Fuglsang (den) + 1.21
53. Gorka Izagirre (spa) + 2.34

Race report
After 5 kms the breakaway is established. Calvin Watson and Filippo Zaccanti, who were in the break in stage 2 as well, are now accompanied by Fabien Grellier. The trio races to a lead of more than 5 minutes before the peloton takes control.

Christopher Juul-Jensen goes after the leaders with almost 40 kms to go. The first one he meets is Watson, who was dropped moments before. Juul-Jensen pushes on to join the two leaders with 26 kms to go.

The front group is gobbled up on the first slopes of the last climb. Several sprinters can’t hold the pace.

Vichot strikes under flamme rouge. He opens up a gap, which inspires Colbrelli to open up the sprint early. Gaviria and Sagan come close, but with a final jump Colbrelli snatches his best win of the season.

Küng finishes in safely the bunch to retain in the overall lead.