Tour de Suisse Stage 3: Brambilla In the Actions

Tour de Suisse Stage 3: Brambilla In the Actions

Etixx - Quick-Step rider Gianluca Brambilla was in all the big actions of the race down to the final kilometer of 117.3km Tour de Suisse Stage 3, from Quinto to Olivone on Monday. He finished 23rd in front group of about 31 riders.

Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo) won the stage. Daniel Moreno (Katusha) finished 2nd, and Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) was 3rd. Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) retained his race lead.

The original breakaway, down to Stefan Denifl (IAM Cycling) and Branislau Samoilau (CCC Sprandi Polkowice), was caught by an attacking Michael Albasini (Orica-GreenEDGE) inside the final 10 kilometers of racing. Jan Bakelants (AGR2 - La Mondiale) followed the move and eventually those two were ahead. Brambilla tried to follow the move, as well as some other chasers but they were all caught except the two riders ahead with 8km to go. Sergio Henao (Team Sky) then attacked with Bakelants again following, but the race came back together with 5.9km left ro race.

Attack after attack was launched all the way until the final kilometer. Johan Esteban Chaves (Orica-GreenEDGE) went off the front with Brambilla 2nd wheel initially. Chaves gained a small gap before being brought back in time for the sprint out of the group.

Etixx - Quick-Step looks next to Stage 4, 193.2km in total distance, on Tuesday. The stage includes three Category 3 ascents and a lone Category 2 climb at the 68.7km point. There is still some undulating sections all the way into the finale of the stage.

"I felt good today, better than yesterday," Brambilla said. "In the final I tried to anticipate the sprint with Chaves. I was on his wheel, but at 500 meters to go I had a cramp in my left leg and it stopped me from being able to stay with him. But in any case it was good to be in the front today in a small group with strong competitors. Also, I am encouraged by the condition getting better day-by-day. We will see what can happen in the next stages."