Edoardo Zardini claimed stage 3 of this year’s Tour of Britain today, with a solo finish atop the final climb of The Tumble.
Today’s victory not only netted the Italian rider the stage win, but moved him up into the overall race lead as well.
“It’s fantastic day for me and the team,” Zardini said. “I attacked at the bottom of the climb, and still at the end, I was strong. Thanks to the work of my team.”
Zardini attacked during the final 4 kilometers, alongside Jack Bauer (Garmin-Sharp).
However, with 2.7 kilometers to go, Zardini jettisoned his breakaway companion, and subsequently built up a slight lead of 17 seconds over the chase.
From there, Roche succeeded in riding clear of the lead group, to quickly catch and pass the leader. However, Zardini responded to Roche’s attack, and latch onto the Irish rider’s wheel with 1.6 kilometers to go.
As both riders tackled the final 1000 foot climb during the last kilometer, Zardini made his move, leaving Roche unable to respond.
Quickly thereafter, Omega Pharma-Quick Step’s Michal Qwiatkowski managed to come from behind and pass Roche during the waning moments of the race, to clinch second place.
“The Tour of Britain has started in the best way for me,” said Zardini. “I hope to defend the race lead.
“It’s the most important victory of my career. I am really happy.”
A video of Mark Cavendish’s crash with a team car.
Stage 3 Results ITA 1 ZARDINI, Edoardo (BARDIANI CSF) 4:35:02 POL 2 KWIATKOWSKI, Michal (OMEGA PHARMA – QUICK-STEP) + 9 IRL 3 ROCHE, Nicolas (TINKOFF-SAXO) + 11 BEL 4 TEUNS, Dylan (BMC RACING) GBR 5 WIGGINS, Bradley (SKY) + 14 ITA 6 VISCONTI, Giovanni (MOVISTAR) ESP 7 LOPEZ GARCIA, David (SKY) SUI 8 REICHENBACH, Sébastien (IAM CYCLING) + 16 ESP 9 IZAGUIRRE INSAUSTI, Jon (MOVISTAR) CZE 10 KONIG, Leopold (NETAPP – ENDURA)
General Classification after Stage 3 ITA 1 ZARDINI, Edoardo (BARDIANI CSF) 11:30:21 POL 2 KWIATKOWSKI, Michal (OMEGA PHARMA – QUICK-STEP) + 13 IRL 3 ROCHE, Nicolas (TINKOFF-SAXO) + 17 BEL 4 TEUNS, Dylan (BMC RACING) + 21 GBR 5 WIGGINS, Bradley (SKY) + 24 ESP 6 LOPEZ GARCIA, David (SKY) ESP 7 IZAGUIRRE INSAUSTI, Jon (MOVISTAR) + 26 CZE 8 KONIG, Leopold (NETAPP – ENDURA) SUI 9 REICHENBACH, Sébastien (IAM CYCLING) ITA 10 VISCONTI, Giovanni (MOVISTAR) + 37
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