The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Merlier wins Giro’s third stage, and Pogacar maintains his lead
FOSSANO, ITALY — Belgian Tim Merlier won the third stage of the Giro d’Italia after race leader Tadej Pogacar almost caught the sprinters by surprise in a breathtaking finale Monday. Merlier claimed his second career stage win at the Italian grand tour, ahead of Jonathan Milan and Biniam Girmay.
For Merlier’s eighth win this season, he timed his last effort precisely, surging from the right side to edge Milan by less than half a wheel.
Pogacar, who grabbed the pink jersey Sunday, was not expected to shine during Monday’s trek between Novara and Fossano. With its mainly flat profile and just a small hill near the finish, the 103-mile stage looked ideal for the first battle between the sprinters. The main overall contenders were expected to spend the day safely in the peloton, but Pogacar had other ideas. “It’s still better to be in front than stay in the bunch,” Pogacar said three stages into his Giro debut.
After a breakaway group that formed after the first intermediate sprint was caught, Pogacar sprinted for the bonus seconds awarded in the town of Cherasco. Ben Swift, a teammate of Geraint Thomas, was the fastest, however, and took the bonus three seconds. Pogacar was second, gaining a bonus of two seconds, and was followed by Thomas, who was awarded one second.
As the peloton rode toward the finish line in a drizzle, Mikkel Honore launched a move, setting up a breathtaking finale. Only Pogacar and Thomas could follow, and they looked as if they could pull it off after they dropped Honore. But the long section of road that followed a hairpin bend was too much to handle, and sprinters caught them with about 300 meters to go.