Drapac and their Dutch sprinter Wouter Wippert continue to do well in the Tour of Hainan. Today the team finished on the podium for the second day in a row when the Dutchman finished third on stage 3.

Drapac Professional Cycling sprinter Wouter Wippert moved into third overall with his second podium finish in as many days at the Tour of Hainan in China.

Wippert finished in third place on Wednesday’s third stage, 134.7km between Haikou and Yueliangwan, in the bunch sprint behind winner Arman Kamyshev (Astana) and Maksym Averin (Synergy Baku).

The flying Dutchman is now just two seconds off the overall lead of Meiyin Wang (Hengxiang) with four other riders.

“Things are looking good for us,” said Directeur Sportif Henk Vogels. “We’re not chasing the overall but we are looking for stage wins and to do well in the points classification.”

Wippert also moved up a rung in the points classification, into fourth just three points shy of the lead of Lampre-Merida’s Andrea Palini.

“I’m actually a bit disappointed because we did a great job as a team today,” Wippert explained.

One of the key protagonists for Drapac was Jordan Kerby who went on the attack just after the second intermediate sprint at the 65km mark. Solo for the next 10km, Kerby was finally joined by teammate Floris Goesinnen and three other riders.

“We chopped off for around 40km and with 10km to go I hit the breakaway,” he said.

Kerby was joined by Samir Jabrayilov (Synergy Baku) and the pair was only caught with 1500m remaining in the stage.

As the Drapac lead out swung into action for Wippert, Jonathan Cantwell once again did his best, making his move at 450m to go before leaving the sprinter to fight on over the final 150m in the cross-wind.

“Jonny is having a great week and is providing impressive leadership on the road for the team,” said Vogels.

It was another close finish for Wippert who was second across the line on Tuesday.

The 2.HC Tour of Hainan continues tomorrow with a 145.8km stage between Wenchang and Zinglong.