Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ) confirmed his position as the fastest sprinter in the Giro d'Italia but this time it was a combination of climbing legs, speed and excellent team support that allowed him to take the win in the 10th stage of the race. Having crested the summit of the final climb in 20th position, he was brought back to the front by an exceptional Sebastien Chavanel before launching his powerful sprint.

Nacer Bouhanni seems to be unstoppable in the Giro d'Italia but to win his third stage, he had to use more than his fast legs. With Sky dropping the hammer on a climb in the finale, there was a big risk that the pace would take the sting out of his legs.

However, the Frenchman showed his excellent condition when he crested the summit in 20th position. He still needed to be brought back to the very front though and relied on a very strong Sebastien Chavanel to do the work.

When he had brought his sprinter into position, Chavanel did the ride of his life to hit the front with 1400m to go and lead the peloton for most of the final part of the stage, keeping the pace so high that Bouhanni would not be swamped. Unsurprisingly, the stage winner had lots of praise for his team after taking a superior sprint win.

“Team Sky rode very hard on the climb and made the first selection," he said. "I dropped back a bit, but iI still managed to cross the climb in about 20th place.

"In the team meeting this morning we were told that we would have to be among the first 5 at the turn with 500m to go. Sebastien Chavanel took me there, then rode at the front for me. The entire team was formidable today, always around me and working hard all stage. I’m very happy to be at the Giro with this team.

"I am a winner because I have exceptional teammates who trust me. All is not perfect but the results come and we enjoy very good moments in this Giro.

“I don’t underestimate anyone. There are very talented sprinters here, and I need the help of my team-mates to win.

“It’s true that my first stage win, at Bari, was special. It was my first ever win in a Grand Tour, and the circumstances were special. I had had to wait at the side of the road to change bikes, and everyone thought I was going to miss out, but the team mobilised around me, and to come through and win the stage was a great moment for me.

”This is the 2nd time I’ve ridden the Giro but, this time. I’ve taken 3 stage wins. I feel that the spectators are starting to recognise me and encourage me from the roadside. It’s a great pleasure when they call out my name. In the mountains, I think they’ll push me and encourage me, because they’ll recognise the Maglia Rossa.”

Chavanel was surprised by his own performance.

"I still took a big turn," he said. "I started 1.4km from the line. I caught my breath in the many turns. I surprised myself, especially by passing the climb among the best 30 riders. It's the "Nacer effect". I only had one goal: not to get dropped. He rode behind me and that made me go even better.

"He already has three wins. Nacer is a great champion, we gather around him. During the stage, he was disappointed not to take points in the intermediate sprint but the stage win was the priority. This is a great team, not the strongest on paper, but collectively it is very very strong."

"I feel like Aime Jacquet i 1998 [manager of the French football team that won the World Cup]," sports director Martial Gayant said. "What we do in this Giro d'Italia is exceptional. I see riders that change because of their leader and who work without asking questions.This is just beautiful!"

"Yesterday [sports director] Frédéric Guesdon took his car and drove the 100 kilometers that separated us from the stage finish. He filmed the 10 km with his tablet and so the riders could see the course. Nacer and his team are very thorough. They care about  every detail. I really admire them."

Manager Marc Madiot is with the rest of the team at a training camp in the Pyrenees. He had lots of praise for his sprinter.

"Nacer behaves like a champion and Sébastien Chavanel is simply stunning," he said. "I had never seen him do such a number! Seb is now better than he has ever been.

"We could only watch the finale of the stage on our computers. Everyone walked around in the hallways with their computers to catch the best network signal. We are very impressed by Nacer, by Seb Chavanel, by all riders. And it is eviden that we are all part of the same dynamic All riders know that they can trust their leaders, sprinters and climbers."