Ulissi top 10 in the Tour de Suisse’s stage 3

In Switzerland, Diego Ulissi is showing to have form and a good kick. After the move in Sunday’s final, the Italian from UAE Team Emirates took ninth place in the thirds stage of the Swiss race, 182 kilometres from Oberstrammheim to Gansingen today.

A 55-man group made it over the five climbs of Hagenfirst (1.8km at 7.8%) in the last 66 kilometres. The final climb with six kilometres to remain whittled it down, taking out various sprinters like the team’s Alexander Kristoff. Ulissi had his turn for UAE Team Emirates and powered to ninth behind winner Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida). Filippo Ganna, 11th, and Jan Polanc, 16th, were also in the group.

Ulissi (photo) is now 24th in the overall classification at 53 seconds from Stefan Küng (BMC Racing).

“It was difficult to do more than that against the fast riders in the sprint,” Ulissi said. “I’m very satisfied, though, because the team moved well and remained at the front of the race when the group was breaking up.”

“I had good feelings, I think I can have faith for the upcoming stages. The next three days will be very important for the final overall classification”.

Stage 3 results
1 Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida) 4h39’51”
2 Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) s.t.
3 Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) s.t.
9 Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) s.t.

General classification after stage 3
1 Stefan Kung (BMC) 8h50’15”
2 Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) 3″
3 Richie Porte (BMC) s.t.
24 Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) 53″