Volta a Catalunya 2017: Valverde outsprints Dan Martin in La Molina, Van Garderen new leader

With a 188.3 kilometres stage the Volta a Catalunya heads out into the Pyrenees. The route takes in three ascents, while the last one - to La Molina - is on the menu twice. Yet, the GC-men keep their powder dry and the race boils down to an uphill sprint with Alejandro Valverde besting Daniel Martin. Tejay van Garderen takes the overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 3rd stage Volta a Catalunya 2017

1. Alejandro Valverde (spa)
2. Daniel Martin (irl) s.t.
3. Adam Yates (gbr) + 0.03
4. Romain Bardet (fra) s.t.
5. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) s.t.
6. Geraint Thomas (gbr) s.t.
7. Alberto Contador (spa) s.t.
8. Tejay van Garderen (usa) s.t.
9. Michael Woods (can) + 0.08
10. Davide Formolo (ita) s.t.

12. Chris Froome (gbr) s.t.
14. Rafal Majka (pol) + 0.13
18. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 0.15
21. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) + 0.21

GC after the 3rd stage
1. Tejay van Garderen (usa)
2. Samuel Sánchez (spa) + 0.41
3. Geraint Thomas (gbr) + 0.44
4. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 0.45
5. Chris Froome (gbr) + 0.49
6. Marc Soler (spa) + 1.10
7. Alberto Contador (spa) + 1.13
8. Adam Yates (gbr) + 1.18
9. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 1.25
10. Jarlinson Pantano (col) s.t.

15. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) + 2.04
16. Mikel Nieve (spa) + 2.08
17. Romain Bardet (fra) + 2.13
18. Robert Gesink (nld) s.t.
21. Rafal Majka (pol) + 2.35
23. Ilnur Zakarin (rus) + 2.46

Race report
It takes some 50 kilometres for a break to get clear. Pieter Serry, Natnael Berhane, Pascal Ackermann and Diego Rubio race to a lead of 7 minutes.

Ackermann is dropped on Alt de Toses and on the first climb to La Molina the leader’s advantage goes down to 2 minutes. Meanwhile leader Ben Hermans is dropped from the main group.

Berhane is the last leader to be reeled in with 8 kms remaining before a Carlos Verona attack is neutralised by Sky. As one organism the group with favourites powers to the line in La Molina. Dan Martin opens the sprint with 300 metres to go and Valverde jumps to his wheel to pocket the win in the dying metres of the race.

Due to the Dan Martin acceleration some minor splits in the chasing group are the only physical evidence stage 3 was played out in the Pyrenees.

Read about the route of the 3rd stage of the Volta a Catalunya 2017.