Giro d’Italia 2024 Stage Report:After two days of excitement, stage 3 was a bit calmer, until 60 kilometres to go and there was a big split, but it came back together well before the sprint got organised on the run-in to the finish in Fossano. There was a small battle for bonus seconds between Ben Swift and the pink jersey, Tadej Pogačar. An attack from Pogačar on a short climb 3 kilometres from the finish nearly upset the sprinter’s plans, but in the end it was Soudal Quick-Step’s Tim Merlier who pushed his bike across the line first. Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) was second and Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) took third. There was no change on the overall.
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Tim Merlier had the best jump at the finish
The first sprinter’s stage in the 2024 Giro d’Italia, finishing in Fossano, was won by Tim Merlier. The Belgian was the fastest in the sprint after an exciting finale, which saw an attack by pink jersey wearer, Tadej Pogačar and Geraint Thomas. They were pulled back in time for Merlier to just take the win form Jonathan Milan and Biniam Girmay.
Stage 3 profile
Novara is the start town of stage three, a relatively flat stage of 166 kilometres with 831 meters of climbing. Early in the stage, there is one categorised climb, the Lu (4.3km at 3.2%), which is a Cat.4 climb. The sprinters should all be there in Fossano, but a short, tricky climb with 3km to go, could upset the fast-finishers.
A sight we are going to have to get used too – Tadej Pogačar in pink
A day for the sprinters ahead
The early break of Lilian Calmejane and Davide Ballerini
There wasn’t much climbing today
The peloton wasn’t too interested at first
It was a nice day for a bike ride
Stage winner, Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step): “This is my hardest victory so far. It was a really hard final. It’s been very difficult to come across to Pogačar and Thomas. I was in a difficult situation in the last hill. But Julian Alaphilippe was there for me. The team helped me tremendously. I was in the sprinters’ breakaway earlier. Luke [Lamperti] was there as well but it wasn’t good for us, so I tried to slow the group down a bit so we could have a bunch sprint finish.”
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Giro d’Italia Stage 3 Result:
1. Tim Merlier (Bel) Soudal Quick-Step in 3:54:35
2. Jonathan Milan (Ita) Lidl-Trek
3. Biniam Girmay (Eri) Intermarché-Wanty
4. Jenthe Biermans (Bel) Arkéa-B&B Hotels
5. Tobias Lund Andresen (Den) dsm-firmenich PostNL
6. Olav Kooij (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike
7. Ethan Vernon (GB) Israel-Premier Tech
8. Stanisław Aniołkowski (Pol) Cofidis
9. Fernando Gaviria (Col) Movistar
10. Alberto Dainese (Ita) Tudor.
Giro d’Italia Overall After Stage 2:
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