Cycling: Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) hat trick at the Tour of Guangxi! After first stage and the second part the Colombian triumphed again this morning. Also this time in front of the German Max Walscheid (Sunweb), who, in contrast to many other top sprinters, presented himself in excellent shape at the end of the season. In the overall standings, things are slowly getting exciting.
Walscheid strong - Gaviria stronger
As in the past few days, no group was left far behind on the 125-kilometer stage with start and finish in Nanning. Nuno Bico (Movistar), Daniel Oss (BMC) and Jack Haig (Orica-Scott) initially formed the leading trio. But after just 70 kilometers the peloton caught them again. Several attacks broke Lawson Craddock (Cannondale-Drapac) and Matej Mohoric (UAE). With five kilometers to go, Quick-Step Floors also ended this run. The rest is quickly told: Walscheid was strong, but Gaviria was stronger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvKAXoaCZak
Fernando Gaviria: “Today was a strange stage: short, fast and with a really good breakaway. Then the final was crazy. Lots of people at the top. Everyone stayed ahead and that made it difficult. Richeze did a good job in the final and I had the legs to win.”
Max Walscheid: “We were all in a perfect formation and everyone did everything exactly as we discussed in the team meeting. I wasn't confident enough to start 50 meters earlier. Even though I was still picking up speed towards the finish line, I was still too late.”
.@FndoGaviria gana tercera etapa consecutive en el Tour de Guangxi, China #DeportesBLU https://t.co/N83UgeehmD pic.twitter.com/bw29Z44vBG
— BLU Deportes (@BLUDeportes) 21 October 2017
Tomorrow: The focus is on the general classification
With his third win, Fernando Gaviria has meanwhile sprinted a solid lead with the time bonuses. The Swiss Silvan Dillier (BMC) is in second place, 13 seconds behind, because he again secured two bonus seconds in an intermediate sprint. This is followed by Max Walscheid, 18 seconds behind. The first acceptable climbers are Wilco Kelderman (Sunweb) and Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors), 27 seconds behind. Most drivers are 30 seconds behind Gaviria. So tomorrow the main thing will be to somehow shake off the Colombian. Even if the profile is flat over long stretches, this should actually work out in the last few kilometers. Because then it goes uphill. Normally, Gaviria should be able to take the necessary seconds. But things could get tight if the Colombian wins another stage in the final two days.
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