Giro 2017 Favourites stage 3: Sprint fest in Cagliari

The 3rd stage in the Giro d'Italia has sprinters written all over it. The route runs from Tortolì to Cagliari and is almost entirely flat. (Slideshow route/profile)

The route of stage 3 in the Giro d’Italia runs along the coast. Basically, the only hurdle is Capo Boi, a pass that’s crested with approximately 40 kilometres to go. The climb is only 2.75 kilometres while the average gradient is circa 5%. After the Capo Boi the roads are as before – pan-flat.

Arrival place Cagliari is the capital of Sardinia. It’s sprinter’s territory. In the 1991 Giro d’Italia Mario Cipollini powered to glory, while Alessandro Petacchi sprinted to the win in 2007. Although Petacchi tested positive for elevated levels of salbutamol afterwards, this does not affect Cagliari is a fine place for a bunch sprint.

Or will we see an Olbia-like scenario, when the sprint teams miscalculated the day before yesterday? Lukas Pöstlberger attacked in the closing kilometres to pull off a surprise win, while the ensuing sprint for second place was won by Ewan ahead of Greipel, Nizzolo and Modolo.

The 2nd stage was the first race in this year’s Giro to boil down to a bunch sprint. André Greipel came in first ahead of Roberto Ferrari, Jasper Stuyven, Fernando Gaviria and Kristian Sbaragli, while Caleb Ewan suffered a mechanical within sight of the line.

Favourites 3rd stage Giro d’Italia 2017

*** André Greipel, Fernando Gaviria, Caleb Ewan
** Sacha Modolo, Sam Bennett, Phil Bauhaus, Giacomo Nizzolo
* Jasper Stuyven, Davide Cimolai, Matteo Pelucchi