Giro 2024: Sprint triumph Merlier, Pogacar still leader

foto: Cor VosTadej Pogacar and Geraint Thomas launch an attack on a hill towards the end of the 3rd stage, but are caught by the charging pack within the last 300 metres. Then it's down to the sprinters. Tim Merlier outpaces Jonathan Milan, while Pogacar maintains his lead in the general classification. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 3rd stage 2024 Giro

1. Tim Merlier (bel)
2. Jonathan Milan (ita) s.t.
3. Biniam Girmay (ecu) s.t.
4. Jenthe Biermans (bel) s.t.
5. Tobias Lund Andresen (den) s.t.
6. Olav Kooij (nld) s.t.
7. Ethan Vernon (gbr) s.t.
8. Stanisław Aniołkowski (pol) s.t.
9. Fernando Gaviria (col) s.t.
10. Alberto Dainese (ita) s.t.

GC after stage 3
1. Tadej Pogacar (slo)
2. Geraint Thomas (gbr) + 0.46
3. Daniel Felipe Martínez (col) + 0.47
4. Cian Uijtdebroeks (bel) + 0.56
5. Einer Rubio (col) s.t.
6. Lorenzo Fortunato (ita) + 1.07
7. Juan Pedro López (spa) + 1.1
8. Jan Hirt (cze) + 1.13
9. Esteban Chaves (col) + 1.26
10. Ben O’Connor (aus) s.t.

Race report
No rider takes an interest in forming the breakaway until the approach of the only climb of the day. Then Lilian Calmejane and Davide Ballerini take off. The Frenchman takes most KOM points, and before the first intermediate spints it’s gruppo compatto again.

Jonathan Milan wins the intermediate sprint before the first group keeps on pushing. Most sprinters are on board, only Fabio Jakobsen, Fernando Gaviria, and Laurence Pithie did miss it.

The first group carves out a lead of almost 2 minutes. While the gap drops below 1 minute, the peloton splits in two. Cian Uijtdebroeks finds himself on the wrong side of the split. Following a furious chase on three fronts, all groups merge within the last 44 kilometres.

Tadej Pogacar gains a time bonus of 2 seconds in Cherasco, Geraint Thomas takes 1 in the intermediate sprint.

The race, as expected, comes down to a bunch sprint, but the finale holds a surprise. Mikkel Honoré attacks on a hill with 3 kilometres to go, and Tadej Pogacar follows his move, as does Geraint Thomas. The two drop Honoré before the peloton charges past in the last 300 metres. Tim Merlier outsprints Jonathan Milan in Fossano, while Pogacar retains the pink jersey.

Another interesting read: route 3rd stage 2024 Giro.