Stage and jersey for on fire Ulissi in Slovenia

Third time lucky for Diego Ulissi at the Tour of Slovenia as aggression pays off on day three. The Italian attacked together with the Russian Vlasov, before leaving him behind inside the final kilometre.

“I’m really happy with this win because the condition was there and I showed it in the past few days,” said a smiling Ulissi. “I wanted to win and I got it. I’ve ridden with a lot of determination in these first three stages. My escape companion Vlasov was also very strong. Then in the final the group behind were approaching and, having seen that the Russian was a little tired, I tried to go away by myself. It went well”.

“Pogačar and I talked to each other on the climb, I felt good so we decided that I’d make the move and he’d block in the group behind.”

“Now I’m in the lead and we will do everything to try to keep it, even if the efforts of the Giro d’Italia are starting to be felt a bit”.

The UAE Team Emirates came home ahead of Vlasov (Gazprom) and Giovanni Visconti (Neri) who was quickest of the chasers. Strong showing also from the Slovenian UAE duo Tadej Pogačar and Jan Polanc who lie fifth and sixth respectively with the former leading the youth classification.

In the GC Ulissi leads by 12 ’’ advantage over Vlasov.

Tomorrow is the penultimate stage from Nova Gorica to Ajdovščina (143.9 km) with a cat.1 climb 23 km from the conclusion.

Stage 3 results:
1 Diego Ulissi (Ita) UAE Team Emirates 3:58:01
2 Alexandr Vlasov (Rus) Gazprom-RusVelo +12’’
3 Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Neri Sottoli–Selle Italia–KTM +17’’
4 Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates +17’’
6 Jan Polanc (Slo) UAE Team Emirates +17’’

General classification after stage 3:
1 Diego Ulissi (Ita) UAE Team Emirates 11:38:41
2 Alexandr Vlasov (Rus) Gazprom-RusVelo +19’’
3 Andrea Vendrame (Ita) Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec +26’’
6 Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates +30’’
7 Jan Polanc (Slo) UAE Team Emirates +30’’