Giro d'Italia

Merlier wins stage 3 – Pogacar stays in pink

Tim Merlier(Bild: LaPresse)

Tim Merlier won the third stage of the Giro d'Italia in a bunch sprint on Monday. The Belgian from the Soudal Quick-Step team won after 166 km from Novara to Fossano in Piedmont, just ahead of the Italian Jonathan Milan and Biniam Girmay from Eritrea.

The Slovenian Tadej Pogacar (Team UAE), who had taken over the overall leader's pink jersey on Sunday, attacked in the final kilometers, but was caught by the peloton. He remains at the top of the classification.

The sprinters were in demand for the first time in this year's Giro on the largely flat stage. Pogacar, supported by helper Felix Großschartner, tried to surprise them by launching an attack together with Geraint Thomas (Ineos) and Mikkel Honore (EF Education) just three kilometers before the finish. However, 300 meters before the finish, Pogacar and Thomas were caught by the peloton with all the sprint stars. In the overall standings, the Slovenian slightly extended his lead over the Briton to 46 seconds thanks to bonuses.

On Tuesday, the first stage of the 190 km between Acqui Terme and Andora is the ride to the Colle del Melogno at 1,032 meters above sea level. However, the third category climb is easily manageable. After that, it is almost all downhill and flat towards the finish line. A final section corresponds to a passage of the classic Milan-Sanremo.