Polanc 7th & Petilli 8th in Ragusa

Two riders in the top 10, the UAE Team Emirates ended the Giro di Sicilia stage three, the 188 km Caltanissetta-Ragusa, with Jan Polanc seventh and Simone Petilli eighth, both 56″ from the winner, the American rider Brandon McNulty (Rally).

The stage climbed the Serra di Burgio and then the climb to finish at Ibla (2.9 km to 4.2%), made even more difficult by the dense rain. The rain also caused also some crashes. Durasek and Ferrari fell but without any issues.

The selection took place on the Serra di Burgio, with Petilli and Polanc among the 31 riders remaining at the front of the race.

After the top, McNulty made the decisive push. Petilli’s attempts in pursuit were in vain, so the American was able to cross the finish line with 56″on the first group. UAE Team Emirates took two top 10s.
Yousif Mirza was forced to abandon the race, however.

Petilli (photo Bettini): “Usually I like racing in the rain and low temperatures, so today I felt at ease, even if a few drops less would not have hurt, especially because it made the downhill stretches difficult to interpret.

After the Serra di Burgio, I was in the leading group with my team-mate Polanc and we tried to attack, but with no luck. It went better for McNulty, he was very good and he was able to take advantage.

I tried to take the last climb at the head of the bunch, taking some risks, but the American was too far away. I felt good going uphill, I hope to feel that way again on the Etna climb“.

The 4th and last stage of the Giro di Sicilia will cover 119km from Giardini Naxos and end up Mount Etna.

Stage 3 results
1 Brandon McNulty (USA) Rally UHC Cycling 4h42’28”
2 Odd Christian Eiking (Nor) Wanty-Gobert 56″
3 Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Neri Sottoli s.t.
7 Jan Polanc (Slo) UAE Team Emirates s.t.
8 Simone Petilli (Ita) UAE Team Emirates s.t.

General classification after stage 3
1 Brandon McNulty (USA) Rally UHC Cycling
2 Odd Christian Eiking (Nor) Wanty-Gobert 59″
3 Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Neri Sottoli 1’02”