Contested in the cold and in the rain, the third stage of the Tour of the Alps, 125 kilometers traced around Schwaz with four second category climbs on the program, was first marked by a vain and solitary ride of the Italian rider from Ineos Grenadiers Filippo Ganna, Wednesday. The double time trial world champion resisted until 27 kilometers from the finish. As soon as the junction was made, Romain Bardet (DSM-Firmenich) tried his luck but it was a duo who managed to escape from the group of favorites.
Two first category climbs on Thursday
The Italian Giulio Pellizzari (Bardiani) and the Spaniard Juan Pedro Lopez (Lidl-Trek) were going to have a lead of up to 45” but seven kilometers from the goal, in the last difficulty of the day, Lopez took off and won solo to secure his first professional victory. He revealed himself in 2022 by wearing the Giro leader’s pink jersey for ten days and finishing best young person (10th). Despite enormous work in the pursuit, the Norwegian leader Tobias Foss (Ineos Grenadiers), who settled the peloton for third place (at 38”), just ahead of Bardet and Aurélien Paret-Peintre (Décathlon-AG2R La Mondiale), gave way. his green leader’s jersey to Lopez.
The fourth stage (141 km between Laives and Borgo Valsugana) will offer two first category climbs on Thursday, the Passo del Compet (10.2 km at 8.1%) and the Passo del Vetriolo (9.3 km at 8.6% ). To be continued on the L’Équipe channel.
