March 9/12 10:19 am - Tirreno-Adriatico: Stage 3 report and results

Posted by Editoress on 03/9/12
 

Norway’s Edvald Boasson of the Sky Procycling team took over sprint duties from Mark Cavendish in Terni and secured a second consecutive stage victory for the British team.
Boasson Hagen beat André Greipel of Germany and Slovakia’s Pete Sagan on the paved finish in the centre of Terni.

Australia’s Matt Goss (GreenEdge Cycling Team) finished sixth in the sprint and so retained the overall race lead. Teammates Stuart O’Grady and Cameron Meyer are second and third overall, both at three seconds.

Mark Cavendish did not contest the sprint but retained the sprinter’s competition red jersey.

“The plan from start was to work for Cav in the sprint but with about six kilometres to go he said he wasn’t feeling super great, so they said I’d do the sprint and the team worked for me. It’s nice to win and finish things off,” Boasson Hagen explained.

“Cav’s the team’s sprinter and when he’s good I’m happy to work for him and then take my chances if he’s not feeling great. He’s a good guy and is always honest, as he proved today. He said he wasn’t good straight away. We trust each other and we know we can work well together.”

Goss was disappointed to miss out on victory for a second day but is happy with his form as Milan-Sanremo approaches.

“I’d have liked to get more of a run yesterday. It was difficult today but I feel good for Milan-Sanremo, there aren’t as many guys at the finish of that race,” Goss said.

“Today I was a little too far back in the sprint and it was difficult to move up in the last few corners. The important thing is that my legs felt good. I’m in the shape I need to be to be competitive at Milan-Sanremo.”

“I think we’ve got a really strong team here. Were not only teammates but mates racing with the same goal. We’ll have a super team for Milan-Sanremo. If it gets lit up on the Cipressa and Poggio we’ve got Simon Gerrans. If there’s a small bunch sprint I can be there to get a result. We’ve also got guys who have got results in the past, so we’ve got a lot of experience and depth for the race.”

Goss will wear the blue race leader’s jersey during Saturday’s fourth stage from Amelia to Chieti.

Results from the 3rd stage of Tirreno-Adriatico in Italy