Dimension Data’s rider O’Connor grabbed yesterday’s third stage victory on a thrilling ride as he took the lead during the final eight kilometers of the short mountain route which started in Ora and ended in Merano.
Second place went to Pinot who crossed the finish line only five seconds later. He was followed by Pozzovivo who took third leaving behind the four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome, George Bennett, and Fabio Aru.
One of the key riders and race leader, Ivan Sosa, had to abandon the race in the middle after crashing on the Palade’s descent, giving away his overall race lead.
Now, the leading purple jersey is worn by Pinot, who leads the tour by 15 seconds. “Before the race started I thought maybe if I had good legs I could try something,” O’Connor said. “It was super aggressive today, but I usually do better later in tours. It’s good to be able to race with the best, and to pull that off is surreal.
“I’ve gradually built the form really well. In Catalunya I was all right, then to come here and be another step further, is super, super pleasing. I just want to be the best rider I can be.”
Tour of the Alps 2018: Third stage Results
Ben O’Connor (Aus) Dimension Data – 3:30:05
Thibaut Pinot (Fra) Groupama-FDJ – 0:00:05
Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) Bahrain-Merida
George Bennett (NZl) LottoNL-Jumbo
Luis León Sánchez (Spa) Astana Pro Team
Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky
Fabio Aru (Ita) UAE Team Emirates
Manuel Senni (Ita) Bardiani CSF
Alexandre Geniez (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
Michal Schlegel (Cze) CCC Sprandi Polkowice
General classification after third stage
Thibaut Pinot (Fra) Groupama-FDJ – 10:52:19
Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) Bahrain-Merida – 0:00:15
Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) Astana Pro Team
Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky – 0:00:16
Fabio Aru (Ita) UAE Team Emirates – 0:00:50
George Bennett (NZl) LottoNL-Jumbo – 0:01:21
Luis León Sánchez (Spa) Astana Pro Team – 0:01:27
Ben O’Connor (Aus) Dimension Data – 0:01:36
Giulio Ciccone (Ita) Bardiani CSF – 0:01:45
Jan Hirt (Cze) Astana Pro Team – 0:01:55
Stage 3 – General classification by Melinda:
?Thibaut PINOT (GFC)
?Domenico POZZOVIVO (TBM) +15”
?Angel Miguel LOPEZ (AST) +15”#TotA pic.twitter.com/cARktazmPw— Tour of The Alps (@Tourof_TheAlps) April 18, 2018
