Thomas and Pogacar enliven stage three

Geraint Thomas continued his strong start to the Giro d'Italia with a daring late attack alongside the maglia rosa on stage three.

The Welshman was superbly supported by his INEOS Grenadiers team-mates on the run into Fossano, and found himself in the perfect position to follow a surprising late acceleration.

Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) jumped on the move of Mikkel Honore (EF Education-Easypost), with Thomas able to ride across the gap over the final short rise of the stage with three kilometres to go. On the run-in Thomas was able to follow Pogacar as the pair opened out a gap to the sprint trains behind.

Despite a valiant effort the duo were reeled in on the final straight. 

Earlier Thomas had taken a single bonus second at the intermediate sprint, finishing just behind Pogacar. Team-mate Ben Swift made the decisive early acceleration to take the three seconds.

The team combined superbly in the final 40km, holding position well on the left-hand side of the road, with big turns from Connor Swift, Ben Swift and Tobias Foss, before Thymen Arensman stretched out the bunch to deliver Thomas to the 3km to go banner.

No one expected what happened next, but by the finish the sprint took hold, with Tim Merlier (Soudal - Quick-Step) winning out.

Overall Thomas retained second overall, sitting 46 seconds back on Pogacar.

Reaction

- Geraint Thomas

“It wasn’t the plan! We just wanted to stay well out of trouble and stay on the left. We did that from quite early on - the boys were incredible really and set me up great. Then Thymen (Arensman) set a great pace. I saw Honore and then Pog go. And I though 'oh I might as well go.' Jeepers man, that was solid!

“I just told [Pogacar] I was quite tired - in a few less words. I was trying to give him a turn. I looked back and I was surprised to see such a big gap, but I knew they were going to come.

“It’s been a good start. I’m feeling alright and hopefully continuing to build.”